Lock change fees at move-out: do tenants have to pay?

In Japan, tenants are sometimes charged a lock-replacement fee at move-out. This guide explains, based on the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) restoration guideline, who should normally bear it.

Bottom line: it's usually the landlord's cost

If you did not lose or damage the keys, changing the lock for the next tenant is, in principle, the landlord's burden. The point of a post-move-out lock change is to prepare the unit for the next occupant — a security precaution that serves the landlord, not you. The same goes for changes made purely for security reasons. If, on the other hand, you lost a key and had the lock replaced, that portion is the tenant's burden.

The gray area: special clauses

In practice, many leases include a clause assigning the lock-change fee to the tenant. Such a clause is not automatically valid, but if it was clearly explained and you knowingly agreed to the amount, the cost may be charged to you. If it appears on your statement with no such clause or explanation, there is room to dispute it.

Check your lease's special-clause section first, then use the checker below to estimate the rest of your move-out charges.