Renting in Meguro as a Foreigner: How Guarantor Companies and Screening Work
You have found a great apartment in Meguro, and now the agent asks about a guarantor. For many foreigners, this is the most confusing part of renting in Japan. The good news is that it is usually much simpler than it sounds. Why Japan Asks for a Guarantor Japanese landlords want reassurance that rent will be paid. Traditionally, that came from a personal guarantor, often a family member living in Japan. Most foreigners do not have one, so today almost all rentals in popular wards like Meguro use a guarantor company (保証会社) instead. To understand how the whole system works and why it exists, this explainer on the Japan rental guarantor system is a good read. How a Guarantor Company Works Instead of a person, you pay a company to guarantee your lease. Typical costs: An initial fee, often around 50% to 100% of one month's rent A yearly renewal fee, or a small monthly fee The exact terms are usually listed on the apartment page, so check them before you apply. Wha...