押金返還指南
退租帳單合理嗎？依情況逐一說明日本國交省的原狀回復指引。
Is a clause making the tenant pay for normal wear and tear valid?
Whether a Japanese lease clause shifting ordinary wear and tear onto the tenant actually holds up, under the MLIT restoration guideline — and when such a clause is treated as void.
What is 'shikibiki' in western Japan? The deposit you don't get back
Common in the Kansai and Kyushu regions, 'shikibiki' is a fixed, non-refundable portion of your deposit. Here's how it works and what to watch for at move-out.
When and how much of your deposit comes back — and what to do if it doesn't
When a Japanese rental deposit is returned, how much can be deducted, and the steps to take if the refund is too small — based on the MLIT restoration guideline.
Move-out cleaning fees: do you have to pay, and what about a contract clause?
Whether a Japanese tenant must pay professional cleaning fees at move-out, based on the MLIT restoration guideline — and how a cleaning clause in the lease can change the answer.
Charged for replacing all the wallpaper in the room: should you pay?
When only part of a wall is damaged but you're billed to re-paper the whole room 'to match colors', how much is really the tenant's burden under Japan's MLIT restoration guideline.
Cushion floor replacement at move-out: is it the tenant's burden?
How Japan's restoration guideline treats cushion-floor replacement at move-out, and how years of tenancy shrink the tenant's share when damage is the tenant's fault.
Scratches and dents on flooring at move-out: do you have to pay?
How Japan's restoration guideline treats scratched and dented flooring at move-out, and why scratches and furniture dents are handled very differently.
Sun fading, furniture dents, dark marks behind the TV: do you pay?
At move-out you may be charged for wallpaper discoloration, furniture dents, or dark marks behind appliances. Under Japan's restoration guideline, these are normally the landlord's burden.
Move-out costs in Japan: is there a typical amount, and which years are 'free'?
There is no single 'typical' move-out cost — it depends on the spot and the cause. What actually matters is how many years of tenancy reduce your share, under Japan's MLIT restoration guideline.
Condensation mold at move-out: is it the tenant's burden?
Whether mold on walls or wallpaper is your responsibility at move-out depends on whether condensation was left unwiped — and how years of tenancy reduce the share.
Lock change fees at move-out: do tenants have to pay?
Whether a lock-replacement charge on your move-out statement is really the tenant's to pay, under Japan's MLIT restoration guideline, and when a lease clause shifts it.
Move-out wear and tear: what you should NOT have to pay for
Furniture dents, sun-faded walls, and electrical blackening behind appliances are normal wear and the landlord's burden under Japan's restoration guideline — tenants generally don't pay.
Holes in the wall at move-out: pinholes vs. screw holes
How Japan's restoration guideline treats wall holes at move-out — small pinholes are usually the landlord's burden, while screw or nail holes that damage the backing board fall on the tenant.
Pet scratches and odor at move-out: how much do you actually pay?
How Japan's restoration guideline treats pet scratches and odor at move-out, and how years of tenancy shrink the tenant's share of any wallpaper repair.
Smoking stains and wallpaper replacement at move-out: who pays?
How Japan's restoration guideline treats cigarette-stained wallpaper at move-out, and how years of tenancy reduce the tenant's share.
Tatami re-covering and replacement at move-out: do you pay?
At move-out you may be charged for re-covering or replacing tatami. Under Japan's restoration guideline, sun fading and aging are the landlord's burden, while stains and burns you caused are yours.
What is the "Tokyo Rule" and what it means for your move-out costs
The Tokyo Rule is a Tokyo Metropolitan ordinance requiring landlords to explain restoration and cost-sharing up front. It protects tenants, but the actual cost split follows the same nationwide guideline.