When you move out on your own for the first time, have you ever had trouble figuring out what criteria to use when looking for a property?
You probably want to live close to your workplace and keep rent as low as possible, but there are many other important points to consider when choosing a property.
So, for those of you who are looking for a rental property, we will introduce the points you should pay attention to when looking for a rental property, divided into four categories: "rent," "location," "floor plan," and "facilities."
This article is for those who are worried about living alone, and explains the key points to consider when choosing a rental property from the perspective of someone who has lived alone, so be sure to read it for reference.
What are the points to consider when choosing a rental property for living alone?
Broadly speaking, there are four important points to consider when choosing a rental property for living alone:
- rent
- Location
- Floor plan
- Facilities
You can prioritize these items, search for a property that meets your criteria, and then view it in person before making a decision.
Now, let me explain each one in order.
Low rent
First of all, the most important thing for many people is low rent.
Since rent is paid every month, you need to think about an amount that will not become a burden on your life.
The general guideline for rent is said to be one-third of your take-home pay. For example, if you earn 200,000 yen, the guideline would be 50,000 to 60,000 yen.
However, depending on the area you want to live in, the minimum rent you need to pay may be more than a third of your take-home pay.
Please reconsider the amount after deducting fixed expenses such as utility bills and living expenses to make sure it is not too difficult.
Among the initial costs when moving, the security deposit, key money, and brokerage fee are set at a certain number of months' rent.
Therefore, be aware that increasing your rent will mean higher initial moving costs.
Also, some people may be thinking, "I want to save money" or "I want to spend money on my hobbies," in which case we recommend looking for a property where the rent is less than one-third of your take-home pay.
Think about what you want to spend your money on and what your priorities are, then compare it to your salary as a guideline only.
For more information on rental property prices, please refer to the following article:
A thorough explanation of the average rental price and initial costs based on your salary!
Great location
If you are a working adult who commutes to work every day, it is more convenient to live near a station.
If you work five days a week and consider the annual commute, the location of the rental property is very important.
The following items should be checked in advance as criteria for determining location.
- How long does it take to walk from your house to the station?
- Commuting time from home to work
- Convenience of trains (assuming use on weekends)
- Last train time
- Distance to supermarkets and convenience stores
- Distance to hospital, bank and post office
The above information can be easily found on the internet, but when you actually walk there, you may find that it takes longer than expected due to traffic lights and railroad crossings, so we recommend that you go to the location and check it out for yourself.
Even if you are pressed for time, be sure to check the route to the station when you view the property, and gather information by asking questions to the real estate agent or using Google Maps.
The convenience of the stations and trains you use is also very important.
Be sure to check how many trains there are per day, how many transfers you will need, and what time the last train leaves.
The distance to supermarkets, convenience stores, and hospitals is also very important. When thinking about the location, take into consideration the possibility of going to the city center on weekends.
Ideal floor plan
A common mistake is not having enough space to put the necessary furniture and appliances.
Whether you are bringing furniture or appliances with you or purchasing new ones, be sure to measure their sizes in advance with a tape measure or something similar and make a note of them.
That way you'll know where to put it when you come to view the property.
Even if you manage to secure the space to put things, you may find yourself struggling with a lack of living space, so it's recommended that you make sure you have all the furniture and appliances you need and then add anything you need later.
Also, when viewing the property, be sure to check how much storage space is available.
Sometimes there is less storage space than you would expect, and your room ends up cluttered with things.
The orientation of the room and the amount of sunlight are also important.
Laundry will dry easily if it is in a sunny location, but if it is in a poorly lit location, it will become very humid and will be difficult to dry.
Also, in rooms with poor sunlight, mold is more likely to grow, so measures to prevent mold are necessary.
Room amenities
Make sure to check in advance whether you will be able to live comfortably in the room, taking into account things like plumbing, a kitchen stove, the number and location of electrical outlets, the thinness of the walls, and the internet environment.
Since this is a place I plan to live in for a long time, I want to choose an environment where I can live comfortably and without stress.
We will further explain the points to check when it comes to room facilities in the following four categories.
- Water facilities
- Number and location of electrical outlets
- Wall thickness
- Internet connection
Water facilities
It is important to check the plumbing facilities carefully to ensure a comfortable stay.
Be sure to check the three areas: the kitchen, the toilet, and the bathroom.
In the kitchen, it's important not only to check the size of the kitchen and the stove, but also to try running the water from the faucet. Check the water pressure and see if the water is clear.
Also, if there is a hose in the drain under the sink, check its condition. If there are problems with its durability, there is a high possibility of a leak.
When flushing the toilet, check the smell, how fast the water flows, and whether it takes forever to flush.
Also, make sure the door is not poorly fitted.
In the bathroom, check to see if the water flows smoothly through the drain. If it doesn't, it may be clogged with dirt or hair.
Other things you should check include whether the tiles are cracked, whether there is a re-heating function, whether it is electric or gas, and whether the water pressure in the shower is weak.
Number and location of electrical outlets
When you actually live there, electrical outlets are essential for using home appliances and information devices.
When considering where to place the electrical appliances you use, the location of the electrical outlet becomes important.
In particular, refrigerators, microwaves, rice cookers, washing machines, beds (for charging smartphones), and televisions basically need to be placed near electrical outlets, and once they are installed, they are difficult to move.
Also, the power cable for your home appliance may be shorter than you expected and may not reach the appliance.
There are more things we use in our daily lives that require electrical outlets than we think, and often the number of outlets available is not enough.
When using an extension cord, etc., think about which outlet the power cord will be drawn from.
Wall thickness
The most common problem when living in an apartment or condominium is noise pollution.
There's no way to avoid some noise from everyday life, but if you're bothered by more noise than necessary, you won't be able to relax when you get home.
To avoid noise problems, please pay attention to the following three points.
- Building structure
- Judgment at the time of viewing
- Surrounding Area
The structure of the building itself has the following insulating properties in order:
Wood construction < Light steel construction < Heavy steel construction < Reinforced concrete construction < Steel reinforced concrete construction
However, even if the building is made of wood or steel, it may have some special features such as sound-absorbing or shock-absorbing materials.
Next, we recommend that you actually make a decision by viewing the property.
In rooms with thin walls, knocking can make a slight noise or the sound can reverberate.
Instead of tapping just one spot, try tapping the whole area to check.
Also, the walls inside the closet are thin, which can allow sound to leak out.
Generally, the wall thickness required to ensure soundproofing is considered to be 180 to 250 mm, so if you are unsure, be sure to ask your real estate agent.
If you would like to know more about the structure of the property, please refer to the following article.
Finally, check your surroundings.
Sometimes the voices and sounds you hear from outside can bother you and make it difficult to sleep, which can make you feel stressed.
Make sure to check whether there are any railroad tracks, expressways, or major roads running next to the property.
Internet connection
When researching rental properties, you will likely come across two types: "internet equipped" and "internet enabled."
If your device is equipped with the Internet, you can start using the Internet immediately after setting up the connection.
Since you don't need to carry out line construction or sign a contract with a provider yourself, you can reduce costs and hassle.
However, please be aware that since the same line is used throughout the entire building, communication speeds may slow down if usage is concentrated.
If your home is internet-enabled, you will need to carry out the line installation and sign a contract with a provider yourself before you can use the internet.
Although it will cost you money, it will help you avoid slow and unstable internet speeds.
In addition, properties that offer "free internet" have already had the line installation, the work to bring the internet into the room, and contracts with providers completed, so there are no monthly fees.
If you have a computer or smartphone, you can immediately access the Internet.
Points other than the property conditions
So far, we have introduced four points to consider when choosing a rental property.
However, it can be difficult to choose a property based on the rental property conditions alone, so be sure to check the following three things as well.
- Talk to your landlord
- Talk to someone close to you
- Set priorities
Talk to your landlord
If you have the opportunity to talk to the landlord during your viewing, be sure to do so.
You can get a basic idea of what kind of people live there, and get a sense of the atmosphere and the personality of the landlord.
Also, even if you are unable to speak to the landlord, try checking the bulletin board at the entrance when you view the property.
You can find out about any problems occurring at the property, such as noise or garbage issues.
Talk to someone close to you
If it's your first time living alone, you may have a lot of worries. Ask your family, friends, and people around you who have experience living alone.
They will tell you what you should pay attention to and what you should be careful about.
Also, when you go to view the property, the real estate agency will try to move forward with the contract on the same day, but it is recommended that you tell them you will be taking the property home first, consulting with friends, and getting comparative quotes from other real estate agencies.
Set priorities
There are many things to consider when searching for a property, and it can be difficult to find one that meets all of your requirements.
So, try to decide for yourself what are "things that you absolutely cannot compromise on," "things that would be useful to have," and "things that you don't need."
By viewing the property in this condition, you can efficiently narrow down your choices and make a decision.
Important points to consider when living alone as a woman
If you are a woman starting to live alone, in addition to what we have introduced so far, there are other points you should pay attention to when choosing a property.
When choosing a property, be sure to also pay attention to the surrounding environment and security measures to help reduce your many worries.
We will explain each point you should look at in order.
Surrounding Area
It is dangerous to go home late at night through deserted areas.
When choosing a rental property, make sure you check whether you can get home from the nearest station on a main road or a busy street.
Another important thing to check is whether the road is bright and whether there are streetlights.
If you think you might have to walk down a dimly lit road, make sure there are other well-lit areas.
Security measures
It is no exaggeration to say that property security is the most important thing for a woman living alone.
Be sure to check in advance whether there is an automatic lock, a monitored intercom, security cameras, and whether there is a manager patrolling the premises.
Also, we recommend that women live on the second floor or higher.
Not only is the first floor at high risk of break-ins, but it also increases the risk of your laundry being stolen.
If you would like to know more about security measures for living alone, please refer to the following article.
Things to keep in mind when searching for a rental property
Since the new fiscal year starts for many people in April, January to March is the busy season for the moving industry.
As a result, good rental properties fill up quickly and rent and initial costs tend to be higher.
If you are a working adult, it can be difficult to adjust the timing of your move, but if you can change the time of your move, we recommend moving from late April to early August.
Also, if you decide in advance what conditions you cannot compromise on and what you are willing to compromise on, you will be more likely to find your ideal property smoothly, so be sure to make a list in advance.
summary
Here are some tips on how to choose a rental property.
When searching for a property, the conditions that people prioritize vary from person to person, such as "rent," "location," "floor plan," and "facilities."
There are also many other points worth noting.
Living alone for the first time can be full of anxiety, but we hope that by using this article you will be able to choose a property that is close to your ideal.
We hope you find a good property and get off to a good start in your new life.
