How screening works at Leopalace
Screening at Leopalace normally happens in two stages: the management company reviews your application, and a guarantor company reviews it as well. This is not specific to Leopalace — it is how most rental contracts in Japan work now.
Since guarantor companies replaced personal guarantors as the norm, what gets checked has shifted too. It used to be about who would vouch for you. Now it is mostly about whether you can keep paying the rent.
Two separate reviews
The management company looks at whether your application is complete and whether the arrangement makes sense for you. The guarantor company, which would cover missed rent, looks at your ability to pay and your payment history. Neither one decides on its own.
Short-term plans can be screened differently
With monthly contracts and other arrangements where you pay for your stay in advance, screening can work differently from a standard rental. Because you are not paying month by month, checks on your income may be lighter. Ask the operator about the specific conditions.
Five things screening looks at
Wherever you apply, the checks are broadly the same. Knowing them in advance lets you prepare.
1. Rent against your income
The usual guideline is that rent fits within a third of your monthly take-home pay. If the rent looks high against your income, you either look at cheaper properties or use one of the approaches below to show you can pay.
2. Your rent payment history
Guarantor companies check whether you have missed rent before. Where a company works with credit information, your credit card and loan payment history may also be checked.
3. Employment type and length
Whether you are a full-time employee, on contract, or self-employed, and how long you have had that income. If you have just changed jobs, an offer letter or employment contract makes it easier to explain.
4. Whether your application is accurate
They check that what you wrote matches your documents. A wrong phone number for your employer, or a mismatched income figure, slows everything down. Read it over before you submit — a typo can cost you days for no reason.
5. Whether they can reach you
During screening, the management or guarantor company may call you or your emergency contact. If nobody picks up for days, the application stalls. For a while after applying, answer calls from numbers you do not recognise.
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Documents you will need
This varies by company and contract type, but most will ask for the following.
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| Identification | Driver's licence, My Number card, residence card |
| Proof of income | Withholding slip, payslips, copy of your tax return |
| Proof of employment | Company ID, offer letter, employment contract (if you recently changed jobs) |
| If you are a student | Student ID, acceptance letter |
| If you are a foreign national | Residence card, passport |
Having these ready shortens the time between applying and moving in.
What you can do without a job or a guarantor
If you have no income right now, or nobody you can ask to be your guarantor, there are still ways to rent. Pick whichever fits your situation.
Show you can pay without current income
If you have a job offer, an offer letter demonstrates future income. If you have savings, a balance certificate can show your ability to pay. Regular income from a pension or family support works the same way.
Use a guarantor company
If you cannot find a personal guarantor, a contract using a guarantor company is the usual route. An initial guarantee fee and a monthly guarantee fee apply on top of your rent. The amount is set by screening, so ask for a quote when you apply.
Choose housing that does not require a guarantor
Some housing does not require a personal guarantor at all. Share houses and furnished housing often fall into this category.
Pay for your stay up front
For a short stay, paying for the whole period in advance can remove the need for screening altogether. If you are thinking of a few weeks to a few months, ask whether this is an option.
Look at a lower rent band
If the rent is judged too high for your income, lowering it makes approval more likely. Compare the monthly total including shared fees, and find a level that is comfortable rather than tight.
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XROSS HOUSE does not require a personal guarantor
XROSS HOUSE runs share houses and furnished apartments across 11 prefectures, centred on Tokyo. You do not need a personal guarantor. That matters if you would rather not ask family, or if you have just arrived in Japan and have nobody here to ask.
About the guarantor company
You do not need a personal guarantor, but if you sign as an individual you will normally need to join a guarantor company. An initial guarantee fee and a monthly guarantee fee apply on top of the initial cost. The amount is set by the screening when you apply, and we give it to you in your quote.
If you are staying short-term and pay for your whole stay up front, you do not need a guarantor company at all. If you are planning a few weeks to a few months, this is worth considering.
What it costs
| Item | Amount (tax incl.) | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Initial cost | 30,000 yen | No deposit, no key money, no agency fee |
| Rent | Varies by property and room type | Private room, dormitory and so on |
| Shared service fee | 15,000 yen/month | Covers utilities and shared supplies |
| Support fee | 1,500 yen/month | Covers help with problems in your home |
You can see the full cost breakdown on our fees page.
From enquiry to moving in
Enquiry, room suggestions, application, contract, move-in. You can move in from as little as seven days. Which documents you need depends on your residence status and contract type, and we explain that when you get in touch.
Frequently asked questions
Is screening at Leopalace strict?
It normally runs in two stages, through the management company and a guarantor company, which is how most rentals in Japan work now. Criteria vary by contract type and property, so check with whoever you are applying to.
Can I rent with no job?
Often yes. An offer letter showing future income, a bank balance certificate, or paying for your stay up front can all work. Choosing housing that does not require a personal guarantor is another route.
What if I have nobody to be my guarantor?
A contract using a guarantor company is the usual answer. XROSS HOUSE does not require a personal guarantor. If you sign as an individual you will normally join a guarantor company and pay a guarantee fee, but if you are staying short-term and pay up front, you do not need one at all.
How long does screening take?
It depends on your application and how quickly your documents come together. Preparing the documents in advance, and being reachable by phone after you apply, avoids unnecessary delay.
What if I am not approved?
Look at a lower rent band, add documents that show your ability to pay, or consider housing that does not require a personal guarantor. Work out a comfortable monthly total including shared fees before you start looking again.
Can I rent as a foreign national?
At XROSS HOUSE, yes. Most of our residents came to Japan from abroad, and we handle enquiries in several languages. Which documents you need depends on your residence status, and we explain that when you get in touch.
Can students rent?
Yes. You may be asked for a student ID or acceptance letter. Since XROSS HOUSE does not require a personal guarantor, you can complete the process without asking family.
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In summary
Screening looks at five things: rent against your income, your payment history, your employment type, whether your application is accurate, and whether they can reach you. Get your documents together in advance and stay reachable after you apply, and the process moves along without friction.
If you have no income right now, or nobody to ask as a guarantor, you still have options: an offer letter or balance certificate to show you can pay, paying for your stay up front, or choosing housing that does not require a personal guarantor. If you are stuck, get in touch and we will talk it through.
