Rental self-check guides
Leaving Japan: Apartment Move-Out Checklist for Renters
Leaving Japan is not one task. It is a stack of small deadlines that all seem to arrive at the same time, from cancellation notice to utilities, internet, keys, cleaning, and the final settlement.
Main points to check
- Many rental contracts require around 1 month cancellation notice, while some require 2 months or have different conditions.
- Plan utilities, internet, bulky trash, cleaning, photos, key return, and tachiai (立会い) before the final day.
- If you receive a move-out estimate, separate cleaning, restoration, disposal, unpaid rent, and shikikin settlement lines before paying or settling.
What should you do before leaving a Japanese apartment?
Start by checking the cancellation notice period in your lease; many contracts require around 1 month notice, but some may require 2 months or have different conditions. Then schedule utilities and internet cancellation, prepare for the move-out inspection, remove trash, and keep documents or photos related to the room condition. If you receive a move-out estimate, check cleaning, restoration, disposal, and deposit-deduction items before settlement.
First: check your cancellation notice period
Look for the cancellation notice clause before booking your move. Around 1 month notice is common, but 2 months or special conditions can appear depending on the contract. If you are leaving before the contract period ends, also check whether a short-term cancellation penalty is mentioned.
1-2 months before moving out
Submit the cancellation notice in the required method, confirm the move-out date, and ask how tachiai (立会い) will be scheduled. Start checking bulky trash, sodai gomi (粗大ゴミ), because reservations may need advance booking depending on the municipality. If you are leaving Japan, check internet, mobile, mail, and address-related steps early.
2-4 weeks before moving out
Arrange electricity, gas, and water stop dates. Internet cancellation and router return can take time, so do not leave them until the final day. Decide what to sell, donate, dispose of, or ship, and keep receipts or messages for disposal work if they may affect the room condition or final estimate.
Move-out day checklist
Clean enough that the room condition is easy to see, remove personal items, take photos or videos, check closets and balcony areas, return all keys as instructed, and attend the tachiai if required. Ask when the final estimate will arrive and which contact method will be used after you leave.
After the inspection: estimate and deposit settlement
When the estimate arrives, read each item by name, category, quantity, unit price, tax, and whether it is deducted from shikikin (敷金). Cleaning, restoration, disposal, and unpaid rent should be understandable as separate lines. If a line is unclear, ask the management company to explain the basis before settlement.
How Chintai Checker can help
If you receive a move-out estimate, paste the text into Chintai Checker’s move-out cost checker to organize cleaning, restoration, disposal, and deposit-related items worth reviewing. Before signing a new lease, the move-in checker can also help you review cleaning and restoration clauses in listing or contract-related text.
FAQ
How much notice do I need before moving out in Japan?
Many contracts require around 1 month notice, but some require 2 months or different conditions. Check the cancellation clause and confirm the method for submitting notice.
What is a move-out inspection in Japan?
A move-out inspection, tachiai (立会い), is a walkthrough where the room condition, keys, and possible cost items may be checked. The final estimate may come later.
What should I do with electricity, gas and water?
Schedule stop dates before moving out and follow each provider's instructions. Gas may require a visit depending on the provider and building, so confirm the process early.
Do I need to clean the apartment before moving out?
Basic cleaning helps make the room condition easier to inspect. A contract cleaning fee may still appear, so check whether the estimate separates cleaning from restoration or disposal.
What should I check in a move-out estimate?
Check item name, reason, quantity, unit price, tax, whether it is cleaning/restoration/disposal/unpaid rent, and whether shikikin (敷金) is deducted.
What should I do if I am leaving Japan permanently?
In addition to the apartment cancellation, check utilities, internet router return, mobile plan, mail forwarding or address changes, bulky trash, and how you will receive the final settlement after departure. Keep copies of documents and contact details.
Questions to ask before signing
- How much cancellation notice does the lease require: 1 month, 2 months, or another period?
- When are electricity, gas, water, internet, and mobile services ending?
- Have photos, videos, keys, bulky trash, and router return been handled?
- Does the final estimate separate cleaning, restoration, disposal, and deposit deductions?
Make a checklist from pasted rental listing text
Paste text from a rental listing page and Chintai Checker will organize items such as initial costs, renewal fees, cleaning costs, special clauses, and contract conditions. It does not fetch external websites or save the pasted listing text.
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Important note
This page is for general informational and self-check purposes only. It is not legal advice, real estate brokerage, or a final conclusion about any fee or clause. Please confirm the actual terms with the important matters explanation document, lease agreement, initial cost estimate, property manager, real estate company, or a qualified consultation service.