No-Key-Money Apartments in Japan: Where to Find Them

By Admin

Life in Japan / Housing & Rent

One of the biggest shocks for foreigners renting in Japan is key money (礼金). Paying a large, non-refundable “thank you” fee to a landlord feels outdated—and for many renters, unnecessary. The good news is that no-key-money apartments do exist, even for foreigners, if you know where and how to look.

This guide explains what no-key-money apartments are, why they exist, and where foreign renters have the best chance of finding them.

What Is Key Money in Japan?

Key money is a non-refundable payment to the landlord, traditionally meant as a gesture of gratitude. It is separate from:

Deposit (敷金)
Rent
Agency fees
Guarantor fees

Typical key money ranges from:

0.5 to 2 months’ rent

Once paid, you never get it back, even if you leave the apartment in perfect condition.

Why Some Apartments Have No Key Money

Key money is becoming less common due to:

Increased vacancies
Younger landlords and management companies
Competition in urban rental markets
Growth of foreign and short-term residents

No-key-money apartments are often used as marketing incentives to attract tenants quickly.

Where No-Key-Money Apartments Are Most Common

1. Large Cities (Especially Tokyo & Osaka)

Urban areas have:

Higher vacancy rates
More corporate-managed buildings
More competition among landlords

Areas with many no-key-money listings include:

Outer Tokyo wards
Osaka city
Yokohama
Chiba and Saitama commuter areas

2. Corporate-Managed Apartment Buildings

Apartments managed by companies (not individual owners) are more likely to:

Remove key money
Offer standardized contracts
Accept guarantor companies
Rent to foreigners

Anonymized case:
A Southeast Asian office worker found three no-key-money options within one week by focusing only on corporate-managed buildings near commuter stations.

3. Newly Built or Recently Renovated Properties

New buildings often offer:

Zero key money
Reduced deposits
Campaign discounts

Landlords want quick occupancy to stabilize cash flow.

4. Apartments Farther From Major Stations

Distance matters.

Properties:

10–20 minutes from stations
On local (not express) lines
In residential areas

are more likely to waive key money.

Where Foreigners Should Look First

Foreigner-Friendly Real Estate Agencies

Look for agencies that:

Explicitly handle foreign tenants
Advertise in English or multilingual formats
Already filter out “foreigner NG” landlords

They know which landlords:

Accept guarantor companies
Don’t require key money
Move quickly on applications

Online Search Terms That Work

When searching in Japanese or English, look for:

礼金なし (no key money)
ゼロゼロ物件 (zero key money + zero deposit)
初期費用安い (low initial cost)

Avoid general searches without filters—you’ll waste time.

Are “Zero-Zero” Apartments Safe?

Zero-zero apartments (no deposit, no key money) are not scams by default, but read carefully.

Watch for:

Higher monthly rent
Mandatory cleaning fees
Short contract penalties
Renewal fees

Always ask for a full initial cost breakdown.

Trade-Offs to Expect

No-key-money apartments may involve:

Smaller room sizes
Older buildings
Less flexible layouts
Higher renewal fees

You’re reducing upfront cost, not necessarily total cost over time.

Common Mistakes Foreigners Make

Assuming no-key-money means “cheap overall”
Ignoring renewal fees
Applying to no-key-money units without guarantor approval
Competing too slowly—these units go fast

Strategy to Secure a No-Key-Money Apartment

Prepare documents in advance
Use a foreigner-friendly agent
Filter listings aggressively
Be flexible on layout and location
Apply immediately when a good unit appears

Speed matters more than perfection.

Final Thoughts

No-key-money apartments in Japan are real, legal, and increasingly common—but they are not evenly distributed. Foreign renters who understand where to look and how the system works can dramatically reduce upfront costs without sacrificing safety or legality.