Introduction

Moving out of a Japanese apartment? Many foreigners face unexpectedly high move-out charges. A 2016 MOJ survey found that 40% of foreign residents experienced housing discrimination, and unclear deposit deductions are a common complaint.

This tool helps you understand your rights as a tenant using the MLIT (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism) Guidelines on Restoration to Original Condition - the most widely referenced standard by Japanese courts.

What This Tool Does

• Checks if your move-out charges are within fair market range
• Identifies items the landlord should be paying for
• Provides ready-to-use dispute templates in English and Japanese
• Shows you where to get free help if negotiation fails

MLIT Guidelines Explained

The MLIT guideline (revised August 2024) defines who pays for what when a tenant moves out. While not legally binding, Japanese courts and consumer affairs centers rely heavily on this document.

Key Principle

Normal wear and tear = Landlord's cost. Tenant negligence = Tenant's cost.

Depreciation Rule

Even for tenant-caused damage, costs decrease over time. Wallpaper and flooring have a 6-year useful life. After 6 years, the landlord can only charge for labor costs (approximately 30% of material + labor).

Read the official MLIT guideline (English PDF)

Move-Out Cost Checker

Enter your charges below to see if they are fair.

Dispute Templates

Copy these bilingual templates to communicate with your management company. Click English/Japanese tabs to switch language.

Where to Get Help

If self-negotiation doesn't work, escalate through these levels:

Move-In Photo Checklist

Use this checklist on move-in day to protect yourself at move-out. Check off each item as you photograph it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Useful Links