Housing conditions that women living alone should check
When a woman chooses a place to live alone, there are four things she should check: the building's security features, the location of the room, the surrounding environment, and soundproofing. If you only consider rent and distance from the station, you may find yourself with problems after you move in.
This section outlines what to look for during the property search and viewing stages. This information is also relevant for those considering furnished rentals or shared housing.
Building security equipment
What you should check is whether there is an automatic locking system, a video intercom, lighting in common areas, security cameras, and parcel delivery boxes. It's not necessary for a property to have all of these, but it's important to know which ones are available before making a choice.
In particular, a video intercom allows you to see who is at the door from inside your room, so you can make a decision before answering. The availability of such amenities is often listed in the rental information, so be sure to check this when narrowing down your choices.
Room location
Rooms on the second floor or higher are less visible from the outside and less likely to be invaded through windows. If you choose a first-floor room, check for the presence of window grilles, the height of the balcony, and how much of the surrounding area is visible.
Additionally, checking whether the entrance faces an exterior corridor and whether it's easy to see people coming in and out of the rooms from the stairs or common areas will help you get a better idea of what living there would be like.
Surrounding environment
I recommend actually walking the route from the station to your home to check it out. You can't tell the spacing of streetlights, the number of people around, or the location of convenience stores and restaurants from a map alone.
If possible, try walking the route at night as well. Many streets look quite different during the day and at night. This check is especially helpful for those who tend to get home late.
Soundproofing
The way sound travels varies greatly depending on the building's structure. Generally speaking, reinforced concrete (RC) structures are considered to transmit sound less effectively than wooden or steel-framed structures.
However, you can't judge solely by the structure. Even with the same structure, the feel can change depending on the wall construction and the relationship to adjacent rooms. We'll introduce how to actually check this during a viewing in the next chapter.
Five things to check during a property viewing
Anything that can't be determined from photos or floor plans can be confirmed during a viewing. Even in a short time, checking the following five points will make it easier to make a decision.
1. Lightly tap the wall to check the sound.
Try lightly tapping the wall that connects to the next room to check how it resonates. A solid wall will produce a dull sound, while a hollow wall will produce a high-pitched sound. If possible, also check how much outside noise you can hear with the windows closed.
2. Check the maintenance status of the common areas.
The condition of the garbage disposal area, corridors, stairwells, and bicycle parking area indicates how well the building is managed. Checking whether the dates on posted notices are up-to-date can also be a helpful factor in making a judgment.
3. Check the facilities around the entrance.
Check the type of lock, whether there is a peephole or a door chain. Also, check if the Mailbox locks and if it is designed so that mail cannot be seen from the outside. You can choose whether or not to put up a nameplate after moving in, but the structure of the Mailbox cannot be changed.
4. Is there cell phone reception?
Depending on the building's structure and the room's location, radio waves may be difficult to receive. It's a good idea to check in several locations within the room.
5. Check the line of sight from the window.
Check what's outside the window and whether the interior is visible from the building across the street. Whether or not this can be addressed with curtains will significantly impact your living comfort.
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The option of living in a furnished apartment.
For those living alone for the first time, or with a fixed length of stay, furnished accommodations are a good option. These apartments come equipped with a bed, refrigerator, washing machine, Microwave, allowing you to move in without needing to bring large items.
It reduces registration fee and effort.
In typical rentals, you have to pay With Zero deposit / key money / brokerage fee, in addition to the cost of purchasing furniture and appliances. Furnished housing eliminates both of these costs, making the initial financial burden lighter.
The fact that you don't have to go through the trouble and expense of disposing of appliances when you move out is also an advantage when you're staying for a limited period of time.
You can stay for a short period of time.
Many properties offer short contract periods, making it easier to accommodate life changes such as entering higher education, starting a new job, or relocating. They can also be used as temporary housing until you find your next place to live.
Items to consider when making a selection
When comparing furnished apartments, look at the total cost, not just the monthly fee. Add up the registration fee, monthly fees (Rent and fixed costs such as common service fee), and move-out fees, and then calculate the difference based on the number of months you plan to live there.
Also, be sure to check what appliances are included and whether there are any shared areas.
Choosing a women-only option
Some properties are exclusively for women. Since you'll only be sharing common areas with other women, this type of housing, like a shared house, is worth considering as an option.
However, the number of women-only properties is limited, and their locations are also restricted. If you can't find a property that meets your criteria, you can also narrow down your search by considering the security features and room location mentioned in the previous chapters.
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XROSS HOUSE Homes
XROSS HOUSE operates shared houses and furnished apartments in 11 prefectures, primarily in Tokyo. A key feature is that residents can move in fully furnished and with a fixed breakdown of costs.
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. |
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.
About women-only properties
XROSS HOUSE offers women-only properties in Tokyo. Availability changes depending on the time of year, so please check the latest vacancies through our room search. Outside of Tokyo, we will guide you to suitable rooms from our selection of private rooms.
Room type
Share houses offer several types of accommodation, including private rooms, semi-private rooms, and dormitories. Private rooms are ideal for those who want their own personal space. For those who prefer to have their own kitchen and bathroom, furnished apartments are available.
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 want to try living there first before making a decision. The conditions for eligibility will be explained at the time of move-in.
FAQ
What should a woman living alone check first?
The four key points to consider are the building's security features, the room's location (whether it's on the second floor or higher), the distance from the station to the apartment, and soundproofing. It's recommended to check the facilities in the listing information and then see the actual conditions during a viewing.
Should I avoid rooms on the first floor?
It's impossible to say definitively. The conditions vary depending on whether there are window grilles, the height of the balcony, and how much of the surrounding area is visible. If you are considering a ground-floor unit, be sure to check these things during your viewing.
How can I check the soundproofing during a viewing?
You can check how the sound resonates by lightly tapping the wall that connects to the next room. A solid wall will produce a duller sound. Also, check how much outside noise you can hear with the windows closed.
Are furnished apartments suitable for women living alone?
This is ideal for those living alone for the first time or those with a fixed length of stay. You won't need to transport large belongings, and you won't have the hassle of disposing of appliances when you move out. Security checks are the same as for any other rental property.
Where can I find women-only properties?
XROSS HOUSE offers properties in Tokyo. Availability changes depending on the time of year, so please check the latest information by searching for rooms.
Can a woman living alone choose to live in a shared house?
You have a choice. If you choose a private room type, you can lock your own room, and you will only share the common areas with other residents. If you choose a women-only property, you will only share the common areas with other women.
From what date can I move into XROSS HOUSE?
You can move in as little as 7 days. If your stay is short and you pay the full amount upfront, you do not need to join a guarantee company.
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summary
For women living alone, there are four things you should check: the building's security features, the room's location, the distance from the station, and the soundproofing. A practical approach is to narrow down the options based on the listing information, and then during the viewing, check things like how the walls resonate, the condition of the common areas, the entrance area, the cell phone reception, and the view from the windows.
If you want to minimize registration fee and hassle when moving in, be sure to compare furnished apartments as well. When evaluating costs, don't just look at the monthly fees, but consider the total cost including registration fee and move-out fees to clearly see the differences between options.
