{"id":14312,"date":"2022-10-24T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-10-24T01:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.villagehouse.jp\/?p=14312"},"modified":"2023-02-09T13:27:19","modified_gmt":"2023-02-09T04:27:19","slug":"japanese-apartment-dictionary-how-shikikin-money-deposit-works","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.villagehouse.jp\/en\/japanese-apartment-life\/japanese-apartment-dictionary-how-shikikin-money-deposit-works\/","title":{"rendered":"Japanese Apartment Dictionary: How Shikikin (Money Deposit) Works"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Putting down a deposit for a place is usually part and parcel of renting an apartment or house. The deposit, also known as a security deposit, acts as a sort of insurance for real estate agencies and landlords in case the tenant does something unsavory like skip out on rent, inflict damage on the property beyond the normal wear and tear, or even abandon the place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, if one is really strapped for cash, there are properties and real estate agencies like Village House<\/a>, who offer rentals without a deposit. Be aware, however, that this can be dependent on the results of the individual\u2019s credit check.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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Definition and Expenses<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A deposit, or shikikin<\/em>, as it is known in Japan, is where the tenant pays upfront, a certain amount of money to the landlord upon signing a lease. Generally, a deposit amounts to one to two months\u2019 rent, though this can go up to 6 months\u2019 rent depending on the type of property being rented and the conditions of the lease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Japan, shikikin<\/em> is required for most long-term leases, which are generally 2 years long. It is used to cover any unpaid rent along with damages and repairs to the property upon moving out. Depending on the conditions of the lease, the mandatory cleaning fee, also common in most Japanese housing leases, is also deducted from the deposit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The landlord or real estate agency is required, by law, to keep safe, a tenant\u2019s deposit throughout the term of their lease. When the tenant vacates the apartment, their deposit should be returned to them, barring any deductions, which can include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n