What is a share house?
A "share house" is a style of housing where multiple residents share common spaces such as the kitchen, bathroom, toilet, and living room in a rental property, while each person has their own "private space." This style is the most common form of a share house. The style of the room varies depending on the share house property, with some people sharing one room and others being assigned a completely private room per person. Please check this beforehand when you visit. You may have an idea of what a share house is, but few people may know in detail what kind of life awaits you there. Here, we will explain in an easy-to-understand way what life in a share house is like.
Benefits of a share house
From here, we will introduce the benefits of living in a share house. Use this as an opportunity to think about what you value most.
Cost reduction
One of the big attractions of share houses is the cost savings. In most share houses, there is no need for a deposit, key money, or agency fees. Also, share houses generally come equipped with the bare minimum of furniture and appliances, making moving very easy as there is no need to purchase new furniture. If you live alone, you will need to purchase large appliances (such as a washing machine or refrigerator), but in a share house, these appliances are already installed, so you can move lightly while keeping unnecessary expenses to a minimum.
Reduced loneliness
In a shared house, you can go to the common space and there will be someone there to talk to, so loneliness is reduced. If you live alone, you can feel the security of knowing that there is someone there. Unlike family and friends, residents can maintain a reasonable distance from each other, so when you don't want to communicate too much, you can just go to your room.
Opportunities for intercultural exchange and networking
In addition, since you can meet many different people, it is a place where people who are interested in intercultural exchange and networking can live very enjoyably. You can also come into contact with a variety of values. Some people hit it off in a share house and become best friends, while others start a business together based on a common business idea, so it can also be used as a great place for networking.
Disadvantages of a share house
Next, we will also introduce the disadvantages of living in a share house. Let's take a closer look at what you need to be careful of when living in a share house.
Noise and people
It is not suitable for people who want to spend time alone in peace and quiet, or for people who get stressed by noise and the presence of other people. Although there are basic rules and manners to follow, there are other residents, and each has a different lifestyle. If you are a sensitive person, a share house may be difficult.
Relationships
There are basic rules for how to spend time in the common spaces and how to use the facilities, but since you will be living with people with different lifestyles and ways of thinking, your common sense may not apply. If you don't get along with your housemates, your daily life may feel stressful. If you have experience living in a dormitory, you may be able to get started in a share house without any problems. The important thing is for everyone to maintain an appropriate distance and be aware that they are living in the same space and place as others.
It's hard to invite family and friends
Some share houses prohibit entry to anyone other than the residents. Even if you are a family member, you may not be allowed to enter unless you have a valid reason, so you need to be careful. Although the rules differ depending on the property, there are some share houses where you can invite family and friends if you apply in advance, so it's a good idea to check before moving in.
Share house type
Next, let's talk about the types of share houses. Let's take a look at what types there are. There are mainly three types: building type, room type, and concept type. Let's take a look at what each type is like.
Share house building type
The buildings used as share houses vary depending on the number of people who can live there and the facilities that will be used. The main building types are mansions, detached houses, apartments, etc. Recently, share houses that have been renovated from old houses have also appeared, and you can enjoy living in a unique space.
Room Type
The room types are as follows: Private rooms for one person and shared rooms (dormitories) for two or more people.
Concept Type
One of the attractions of share houses is that communities based on various concepts are formed. Recently, properties with unique concepts such as pet-friendly, SOHO (office use)-friendly, and even share houses aimed at international exchange have been attracting attention. By searching for and finding a share house that suits your lifestyle and hobbies, you may be able to enjoy a more fulfilling life.
Initial costs for living in a share house
First, we will give an example of the initial costs for a single room. The amount may vary, so please use this as an example only.
Deposit: 20,000 to 30,000 yen
It varies by property, but in most cases, unlike regular rental properties, there is no need for a security deposit or key money, and you pay a security deposit to the management company. Even in shared houses, there may be renewal fees to continue occupancy and fees required when renewing the contract. Be sure to check the contract details in advance. In many cases, the deposit amount is relatively low, about one month's rent, so you can start with fewer initial costs.
One month's rent: 35,000 to 50,000 yen
The amount varies depending on the conditions, so you need to consider your budget and the conditions before making your decision. However, you can see that it is much cheaper to live there than renting an apartment. As a guideline, it is important to understand the average rent amount.
Utility costs: 10,000 to 15,000 yen
Many share houses have fixed rates for utilities. This allows you to have stable monthly costs and makes your living expenses more predictable. For those looking to live on a budget, a share house is a great option.
Characteristics of people suitable for living in a share house
A variety of people live in share houses, including university students, international students, office workers, people working in SOHOs (offices), people who are away from home, etc. Since you will be sharing common spaces with the other residents, it is best suited for people who enjoy communicating with others and can adapt to communal living.
People who can live in a share house and follow the manners and rules
Each share house may have its own manners and rules, so it is necessary to check them in advance. By following the rules and manners of each share house, such as curfews, how to use common spaces, and cleaning, residents can live comfortably and happily with each other. It is important for each resident to be aware of this.
A person with minimal sociability
You will need a minimum level of sociability and communication skills, such as saying hello when you pass someone, cooperating when doing something together, etc. In a share house, you will be sharing the same space with many people, so smooth communication is essential.
Characteristics of people who are not suited to living in a share house
People who are not suited to living in a share house have the following characteristics. In a share house, you will be living with multiple people, so you will need to communicate with your cohabitants. It is also important to follow basic rules and manners.
People who want to spend time alone
In your own private room, you can do as you like, but in the common areas, there are inevitably other residents. Doing things as you like or acting selfishly will cause trouble for others when living together, so avoid that. This place is not suitable for these people.
A person with a cleanliness disorder
In a share house, it is common for all residents to take turns using and cleaning the areas with water (kitchen, bathroom, toilet, washing machine, etc.). Since common spaces are shared with other residents, people with obsessive-compulsive disorder may find communal living a little difficult. However, if there are many residents with similar values and lifestyles, you may be able to live comfortably without any problems. If you are prepared to be flexible and adapt to living with a variety of people, you may be able to enjoy life in a share house.
People who don't like to communicate with others
Since you will be interacting with other residents, a minimum level of communication is essential. If you don't like communicating with people in the first place, it will be difficult to live with other residents. It is important to maintain a reasonable distance while still communicating.
What is life like in a share house? Characteristics by size
So what exactly is life like in a share house? The characteristics vary depending on the size of the share house, so we will explain each in detail. Please use this as an indicator to consider what size of share house is suitable for you.
Characteristics of small-scale (2-5 people) share houses
In a small shared house, the number of people is small, so you can live your daily life as if you were living with acquaintances or friends. You can also see the lifestyles of your housemates, so it's relatively easy to secure private time without worrying too much. Also, if you happen to use the kitchen at the same time, you can eat together and complain about work or talk about love. However, if you happen to use the bathroom and toilet at the same time, which are shared spaces with water, you will need to be considerate and it can be a bit stressful. In such cases, you will need to adjust your daily rhythm.
Characteristics of a medium-sized (5-20 people) share house
Compared to small-scale shared house properties, there are more tenants, so shared spaces are often used more frequently. You may spend more time with people, such as drinking together in the living room or relaxing in the living room with a few people. One of the features is that there are university students, international students, and working adults, so it is easy to interact with a wide range of people. Regarding the plumbing, which is a concern when moving in, there are more washing machines and toilets, so depending on the lifestyle of the residents, they can be used without overlapping hours and without stress. However, in terms of noise, there are a few more people compared to small-scale properties, so it may be a little noisy around the living room. It can be said that this is the size of the number of people that creates the strongest relationships. If you want to create a community, a medium-sized apartment is recommended.
Characteristics of large-scale (20 or more people) share houses
One of the features of large shared houses is that there are many community events because the shared spaces are large. There are many new encounters, and residents may find common ground through events and deepen their friendships. However, the more residents there are, the more diverse the relationships are, so the more fluid and free they are, and surprisingly, larger shared houses may have dry relationships. If you want to actively communicate with residents, you need to talk to them yourself. Furthermore, as the number of residents increases, there may be more trouble between residents, and problems often arise due to noise and other noise issues. Kitchens, bathrooms, and toilets also become dirty easily because many people use them. It is necessary for each person to be conscious of using them cleanly and hygienically.
Actual experience of living in a share house
Living in a share house is a series of interesting experiences that are much more fun than you might imagine. I will share some unique experiences of living in a share house, such as balancing personal privacy with communal living and interacting with other residents.
How to use the shared space
Making use of the common spaces is the best part of a share house. The common spaces, such as the kitchen, bathroom, and living room, are places for interaction with other residents and allow you to come into contact with new cultures and ways of thinking. In the kitchen, Japanese students and international students cook together and eat in the living room, which creates international exchange. "At first, cooking for myself was a pain, but now it's fun as I cook with other residents, and I look forward to cooking on the weekends," said one resident. In the living room, one person said, "When I come home from work and relax in the living room, I naturally start talking to other residents, and I'm happy that I no longer feel lonely living alone." While there are heartwarming stories like this, rules and manners are important when using common spaces. Being considerate of others creates a comfortable communal life. In some share houses, residents also have cleaning duties, and they take turns cleaning. By following the rules and keeping the common spaces clean, you can spend your time here comfortably.
Privacy Considerations
In a share house, it is important to strike a balance between personal privacy and interaction with other residents. In a private room, you have your own space, while in the shared spaces you can interact with other residents and create a community. Each resident has different needs when it comes to this balance. Some people say, "I chose to live in a share house because I was attracted to the idea of being able to switch between my private room and the shared spaces," while others say, "At first I had to be careful and it was tiring, but I gradually found my own pace and am now able to live while maintaining a good distance from the other residents." It is most important that each person lives a lifestyle that suits them.
There are many events and social interactions
There are many events and other interactions, which is an experience that can only be had in a share house. It plays a major role in building new relationships and promoting intercultural understanding. For example, we hold international cooking parties, movie viewing parties, language exchange meetings, etc. Since it varies depending on the share house, some share houses hold many community events and some do not. Some international students who have just come to Japan confided, "I was worried because I didn't understand Japanese, but I made many friends, my Japanese improved a little, and I started to like Japan even more."
Important points when choosing a share house
Viewing a share house is very important in order to understand the actual living environment. Please check the following items when viewing the house.
Preview (from facilities to atmosphere)
When viewing the property, we recommend that you take a good look at the facilities and equipment. For example,
- Regarding the size and facilities of the private room: Is there enough bed, desk, and storage space?
- Cleanliness of shared spaces: How hygienic are the kitchen, bathroom, toilet, etc. (are they messy?)
- Security: Auto-lock at the entrance, security cameras
- Furniture condition: Are the refrigerator, washing machine, air conditioner, etc. in working order?
- Internet environment: Wi-Fi speed and stability
- About the surrounding environment: supermarkets, restaurants, distance to the nearest station, and what is nearby
- About the house rules: How to use the common areas, cleaning the common areas, visitors, curfew, delivery service (check the rules if there are any posted).
It is a good idea to check the above items when viewing the property. The atmosphere of each share house property is completely different, so one way to find out is to see what the atmosphere is like and what kind of people the tenants are. Another way is to ask the person in charge at the management company. If the company is well-managed and managed, they may be able to give you detailed information about the type of tenants, what kind of troubles they have had, and what requests the tenants have made.
Points to note when signing a contract
There are some differences between a share house contract and a regular rental contract. Here are some of them.
- Deposit: Confirm the deposit amount, return conditions, renewal, etc.
- Cancellation conditions: Check the advance notice period and whether there are any cancellation fees
- Regarding the contract period: Confirmation of the contract period and renewal method
- Breakdown of common area fees: If there are common area fees, confirm the amount and what is included
- Regarding repairs: Confirmation of response in case of equipment failure and repair costs to be borne by the customer
- Handling of personal information: Confirmation of the extent of information sharing with other residents
- House rules: Check what specific rules there are
Please be sure to check the above information carefully before signing the contract, and if you have any questions, be sure to ask and resolve any concerns you may have. It is also important to check whether your lifestyle and the house rules of the share house match up.
How to find a share house that suits your lifestyle
Shared houses have been on the rise in recent years. As a result, there are many different types of shared houses. In order to find the best property that suits your lifestyle, you need to consider the following points.
- Budget for moving in: Find a property with a clear monthly payment amount
- Location of the share house: Check the commute time and nearby facilities
- Facilities: The type of private room, the atmosphere of the common areas, and whether the facilities are adequate.
- About the residents: Find out about their characteristics, such as age group, nationality, and demographics (most are students and working adults)
- Share house management system: whether or not there is a cleaning service and who is the manager
- Community and share house concept: Find out about events, interactions with other residents, and what the concept of the share house is.
Please check the items above. If you want to know more information, you can also search for reviews and, if possible, try to talk to current tenants.
The value of living in a share house
Living in a share house can be difficult because you have to balance your work and private life with other residents. However, joining a new community can provide you with a different kind of enjoyment than living alone. Living with people of different ages, occupations, and living environments is a valuable experience that you can't get anywhere else. The connections you make here may have great meaning in your future life. Rather than simply aiming to save money, it's also a good idea to value the connections and experiences you make with people in a share house.
summary
This time, we will explain the advantages and disadvantages of share houses and share experiences under the theme, "What is a share house like?" There are many different types of share houses. Be sure to visit any properties you are interested in in advance and make sure to check the house rules. Nowadays, there are many different types of share houses, so it is best to take your time to find an environment that suits you so that you don't regret moving in. On the other hand, some share houses are not suitable for people who are not good at privacy or following rules. If you are considering a share house, let's do some research so that you can choose a property that suits your lifestyle.
