{"id":14925,"date":"2022-12-17T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-12-17T01:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.villagehouse.jp\/?p=14925"},"modified":"2023-01-11T09:20:12","modified_gmt":"2023-01-11T00:20:12","slug":"giving-proper-notice-before-moving-out","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.villagehouse.jp\/en\/moving-tips\/giving-proper-notice-before-moving-out\/","title":{"rendered":"Giving Proper Notice before Moving Out"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Moving Home Checklist<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While the prospect of moving to better and possibly bigger accommodations is appealing to many, the process of officially moving out is usually not. For those living in Japan and moving out for the first time, the unique procedures and requirements that come with vacating a premise here can seem rather daunting. We advise you to create your own checklist, which makes it easier for you to keep track of everything and ensure things go as smoothly as possible. So let\u2019s go over what needs to be done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"Checklist\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Giving Prior Notice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When a tenant decides to move, the most pressing thing is to give prior notice. This is usually to the landlord though it can also be to your real estate agency or agent in charge of handling the apartment building or complex.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to give notice of your intention to move out will again depend on the conditions set by the landlord or real estate agency. Luckily, nowadays, with many procedures being digitized, tenants can usually just send an email or fill out an online form. However, there is always the option of making a phone call as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Paperworks\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Notice the Deadline According to the Apartment Rental Lease<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Generally, in Japan, the minimum amount of time to give notice is 30 days or a month. However, this timeframe will depend on each individual\u2019s apartment rental lease. Tenants should also be aware of the length of their lease contract \u2013 if they break the contract by moving out too early, a cancelation fee or penalty fee may be incurred. At Village House<\/a>, for example, apartment leases are set at a standard of 24 months. If the lease is terminated before this, individuals must pay a cancelation fee, which is 3 months\u2019 rent, if the tenant moves out within 12 months; and 2 months\u2019 rent if they move out within 24 months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201dChecking Out\u201d at City Hall or the Ward Office<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Giving prior notice of the intent to move out sets a deadline, which tenants must adhere to. In Japan, one piece administrative procedure that needs to be done is to \u201ccheck out\u201d the ward one is currently living in. To do this, tenants need to go down to city hall or the local ward office and submit a moving out form or tenshutsu-todoke<\/em> that includes information such as the current address, new address, and moving out date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once submitted, a moving out certificate will be issued to you, which can be used to \u201ccheck in\u201d to the new ward or prefecture. Obtaining a moving out certificate should be done within 2 weeks prior to moving out and registering at your new ward or prefecture should be done within two weeks of having moved into the new place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Moving<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Other Things to Take Care of Before Your Moving Day<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The next priority on one\u2019s moving homes checklist will be to inform any all services, subscriptions, and organizations you have registered your address with. Arguably the most important will be to inform the utility companies of the upcoming change in address. Your gas, power, and water companies will need to be given notice to either transfer or cancel your contracts with them as well as when to shut off the utilities (usually on the date of your moving day). Again, it\u2019s best to give notice as early as possible to make these transactions go smoothly and avoid incurring any late or cancelation fees. It\u2019s often advised to give a minimum of two weeks\u2019 notice before moving out but obviously, the earlier, the better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Next, one should inform the following organizations, services, and subscriptions, of a change in address:<\/p>\n\n\n\n