What is a furnished apartment?
Furnished apartments come pre-furnished with essential living items such as a bed, refrigerator, washing machine, and Microwave. Because you can start living there from the day you move in, they are a popular choice for people who need to find accommodation quickly, such as those moving to Tokyo, relocating for work, or coming to Japan.
While some companies, like Leopalace, are known for offering furnished apartments, there are now multiple types of apartments available, with a wide range of conditions. This article will explain the different types of apartments and what criteria you should use to choose the right one.
You don't need to buy furniture and appliances.
Buying furniture and appliances from scratch involves significant expense and time spent choosing them. With furnished accommodation, you can move in even with just a suitcase full of belongings. Furthermore, you avoid the hassle and expense of disposing of items when you move out.
Easy to keep registration fee down
Many properties offer contracts that do not require With Zero deposit / key money / brokerage fee, making the initial costs of moving in significantly lower compared to typical rentals. When combined with the fact that you don't need to purchase furniture and appliances, the difference becomes substantial.
It's quick to move in.
Since furniture and appliances don't need to be delivered or installed, the time between signing the contract and moving in can be shortened. This is ideal for people who need to find a place to live quickly.
Four types of furnished apartments
Even though they're all described as furnished apartments, the room layouts and contract types vary considerably. They can be broadly divided into four categories. Which one suits you best depends on how long you plan to live there and how much of the space you want to keep to yourself.
| kinds | Plumbing | Suitable period | Cost trends |
|---|---|---|---|
| Furnished apartment plans for single occupants | Exclusive use | Several months to long term | middle |
| Monthly apartment | Exclusive use | Several weeks to several months | Short-term investments tend to be more expensive. |
| Share house | Shared (private rooms are separate) | Short-term to long-term | Easy to control |
| Furnished apartment | Exclusive use | Short-term to long-term | middle |
Furnished apartment plans for single occupants
This plan offers a standard rental apartment that comes furnished with appliances. You'll have your own kitchen and bathroom, allowing for a lifestyle similar to typical single living. The contract is usually a standard lease agreement, making it suitable for those planning to stay for several months or longer.
Monthly apartment
These are short-term accommodations that can be contracted on a weekly or monthly basis. Each unit has its own private bathroom and kitchen, making them suitable for fixed-duration stays such as business trips or training. However, the monthly cost tends to increase with shorter stays, so if you anticipate needing a longer stay, compare the total cost with other types of accommodations.
Share house
This type of accommodation involves sharing facilities such as the kitchen and bathroom with other residents. Because these facilities are shared, costs are generally lower, and if you choose a private room type, your room is independent. Choosing a dormitory-style accommodation where you also share your room can further reduce costs.
Furnished apartment
This type of residence features a private kitchen, bathroom, and toilet, and comes furnished with appliances. It's ideal for those who prefer not to use shared facilities and want to keep registration fee down.
Search for a room
Only furnished properties with appliances are listed!
Four things to check when making your choice
When comparing furnished apartments, you can't just look at the listed monthly fee. Please check the following four points before making a decision.
1. Compare by total cost
Compare the costs by totaling the registration fee, monthly expenses (rent and fixed common service fee), and move-out costs, and multiplying this by the number of months you plan to live there. Even if the monthly cost is slightly higher, if the registration fee are low, the total cost may be lower in the short term. Conversely, the difference in monthly costs becomes more significant the longer you stay.
2. Check the list of provided items.
The contents of a "furnished" property vary from place to place. While a bed, refrigerator, washing machine, and Microwave are often included, cooking utensils, dishes, bedding, and curtains may not be. Knowing what you'll need on your first day will help you avoid any last-minute panic.
3. Handling of utilities (water, electricity, gas) and internet.
Please check whether it is included in the common service fee or if a separate contract is required. If it is separate, the difference can be several thousand to 10,000 yen per month. If you work from home, you should also check the type of internet connection provided.
4. How to respond when equipment malfunctions
Make sure to check who will repair or replace any appliances provided in the property if they stop working. If the contract stipulates that the operating company will handle the repairs, you won't need to buy replacements yourself. It's also a good idea to check their contact information and operating hours for peace of mind.
Tips for searching
Specify "furnished with appliances" in your search criteria.
Property listing websites often have specific search criteria such as "furnished" or "furnished." It's best to narrow your search using these criteria first, and then add other factors like distance from the station and rent range to make your search easier.
View the operating company's website directly.
Companies that operate furnished apartments list their latest vacancies on their own websites. You might find rooms that aren't listed on property listing sites, so if you're interested in a particular company, try contacting them directly.
Calculate backward from the length of time you plan to live there.
If the contract period is fixed, calculate the total cost based on that number of months before choosing a plan. If the contract period is not fixed, prioritize choosing a plan that is easy to switch between, as this will reduce future burdens.
Search for a room
Only furnished properties with appliances are listed!
Furnished apartments from XROSS HOUSE
XROSS HOUSE operates shared houses and furnished apartments in 11 prefectures, primarily in Tokyo. With multiple types of accommodations offering different shared space options, you can choose based on your budget and desired level of privacy.
Breakdown of costs
| expense item | Price (tax included) | Content |
|---|---|---|
| registration fee | 30,000 yen | No With Zero deposit / key money / brokerage fee is required. |
| rent | Varies depending on the property and room type. | It varies depending on the room type, such as private rooms or dormitories. |
| common service fee | 15,000 yen/month | Includes utilities (water, electricity, gas) and shared equipment costs. |
| Peace of Mind Support Fee | 1,500 yen/month | This is the cost of dealing with problems at your home. |
Utilities (water, electricity, gas) and internet usage fees are included in the common service fee, so the monthly payment amount is determined before you move in. We also have a contact point for inquiries regarding any problems with the provided equipment.
A co-signer is not required. However, if you are signing a contract as an individual, you will generally need to join a guarantee company, and an initial guarantee fee and a monthly guarantee fee will be charged separately from the registration fee. The amount will be determined during the application screening process and will be provided in the estimate. Please note that if you are staying for a short period and pay the full amount upfront, you will not need to join a guarantee company at all.
Room types to choose from
For those who want to have their own kitchen and bathroom, we offer furnished apartments, while for those who want to keep costs down, we have private rooms in shared houses and dormitories. You can move in as little as 7 days, and choose the option that suits your length of stay.
You can find detailed information about the costs on the pricing page .
A system that allows you to move residences.
If your workplace or lifestyle changes after moving in, you can move to another property managed by XROSS HOUSE. This system is also suitable for those who haven't decided on a fixed length of stay. The eligibility requirements will be explained at the time of move-in.
FAQ
What appliances and furniture are included in furnished apartments?
Generally, this includes a bed, refrigerator, washing machine, Microwave, and television. Cooking utensils, dishes, bedding, and curtains are often not included, so please check the list before moving in.
Wouldn't a furnished apartment be more expensive?
While the monthly cost may seem high at first glance, consider that you won't have to pay for furniture and appliances, nor for disposal fees upon moving out. This type of housing tends to be more advantageous in the long run, especially for shorter stays.
What happens if the built-in appliances break down?
This varies depending on the contract. Sometimes the management company handles repairs and replacements, while other times the tenant is responsible. Please check before applying. XROSS HOUSE has a dedicated contact point for inquiries.
How can I find a property that comes furnished with furniture and appliances?
There are two ways to narrow down your search on property listing websites: specifying "furnished" as a search criterion, or directly visiting the websites of companies that manage furnished apartments. Some vacant properties are only listed on their own websites.
Is it possible to stay here for a short period of time?
We have housing options available. XROSS HOUSE allows move-in in as little as 7 days, and if you pay the full amount upfront, you don't need to join a guarantee company.
Are utilities (water, electricity, gas) included in the rent?
It varies depending on the property. Sometimes it's included in the common service fee, and sometimes it's a separate contract and actual cost settlement. The total amount will change, so please check before applying. At XROSS HOUSE, it's included in the common service fee.
Search for a room
Only furnished properties with appliances are listed!
summary
There are four types of furnished apartments: furnished apartments for single occupants, monthly apartments, shared houses, and furnished apartments. The best option depends on whether you want to have exclusive or shared bathroom facilities and how long you plan to stay.
When choosing, be sure to check these four points: the total cost, what is included, how utilities (water, electricity, gas) and internet are handled, and how repairs are handled. In particular, the total cost, including registration fee and move-out fees, will clearly show the differences between types of accommodations if you calculate it based on the number of months you will be staying.
