FAQ
🏠 Viewings
Q. How can I arrange a viewing?
A. Please use our contact form to send us two or three preferred dates for your viewing. We will check availability and get back to you to arrange a convenient date and time. On the day of your viewing, we will meet you at Jiyugaoka Station and walk with you to the house. 🚶 Please note that viewings are only available for rooms that are currently vacant. Rooms that are currently occupied or scheduled to become available cannot be viewed. You are welcome to bring a female friend or family member with you. If someone will be joining you, please let us know in advance. As Heart Share Jiyugaoka is a women-only share house, we kindly ask that male guests do not accompany you to the viewing.
Q. Can I apply without an in-person viewing?
A. To help ensure a safe and comfortable shared living environment for everyone, and to make sure the house is a good fit for you, we generally ask prospective residents to visit the house in person before applying. This gives us a chance to meet you and allows you to see the house, experience the atmosphere, and learn about our house rules. However, if you are currently living overseas or far from Tokyo and it is difficult for you to visit in person, we can also arrange an online viewing. 🌏 If you are able to visit without too much difficulty, we recommend seeing the house in person so you can get a real feel for what it would be like to live here.
📋 Applications & Contracts
Q. How do I apply?
A. If you would like to move in after viewing the house, please contact us and let us know that you would like to apply. We will send you an application form by email. Please complete the form and return it together with the required documents. Once we have received and reviewed your documents, we will proceed with the application screening process.
Q. Can non-Japanese residents apply?
A. Yes. We welcome applications from people of all nationalities. Regardless of nationality, all residents are required to understand and agree to follow the house rules and respect the guidelines for living together in a shared house. Residents must also be able to communicate in Japanese at a basic conversational level and have sufficient Japanese reading and writing skills for everyday life. House rules and notices from the management company are generally provided in Japanese. When applying, please provide copies of both sides of your Residence Card and the photo page of your passport. We will explain the required documents and application process to you individually.
Q. Is there a minimum length of stay?
A. Yes. The minimum stay is four months. Heart Share Jiyugaoka is a women-only share house intended for residents looking for a place to live for a reasonable period of time. We do not offer short-term stays of one to three months for purposes such as travel, business trips, training programs, or short-term work assignments.
Q. Can the furniture in my room be removed?
A. If you let us know before moving in, we may be able to remove some of the furniture from your room.However, the bed is a permanent fixture and cannot be removed. If you would like to bring your own furniture, please discuss this with us when you visit the house.
💰 Fees & Payments
Q. How much are the initial costs?
A. Our initial costs are simple and straightforward. When you move in, you will need to pay the following: Security deposit Prorated rent from the start date of your contract Prorated common service fee from the start date of your contract If your contract starts on or after the 16th of the month, you will also be asked to pay the following month's rent and common service fee at the same time. There are no contract administration fees, key money, or contract renewal fees. You are also required to have fire insurance. The cost of insurance varies depending on the coverage you choose.
Q: When does the rent start ?
A. Rent is charged from the start date of your contract. As a general rule, we ask you to choose a contract start date within one month of submitting your application. If your contract starts in the middle of the month, the rent and common service fee for that month will be calculated on a prorated basis.
Q. What is included in the common service fee?
A. The common service fee includes utilities such as electricity, gas, and water, as well as Wi-Fi and shared household supplies such as toilet paper, dishwashing liquid, and cleaning supplies. Please note that utilities are not unlimited. To help keep the house comfortable and costs reasonable for everyone, we ask all residents to use electricity, gas, and water responsibly—for example, by turning off lights and air conditioning when leaving the house. The common service fee may be reviewed if there is continued excessive usage or if utility costs change significantly due to external circumstances. We appreciate everyone's cooperation in avoiding unnecessary waste and helping to maintain a comfortable shared living environment.
Q. How do I pay my rent?
A. Rent for the following month must be paid by bank transfer to our designated account by the 27th of each month. We will provide the bank account details when you sign your contract. Please note that any bank transfer fees are the responsibility of the resident.
Q. Do I need fire insurance?
A. Yes. All residents are required to have fire insurance. Fire insurance provides protection not only in the event of a fire, but also against certain natural disasters and unexpected accidents. It can help cover damage to your personal belongings and certain costs resulting from an accident or damage to the property. Examples of coverage may include: Fire / Wind damage / Snow damage / Flood damage / Accidental damage The exact coverage depends on the insurance policy you choose.
🌟 House Rules & Shared Living
Q. Are there any house rules?
A. Yes. To ensure that everyone can live safely and comfortably, we have house rules and guidelines for shared living. We will carefully explain the rules to you before you move in, and you will be asked to understand and agree to them before becoming a resident. We appreciate everyone's cooperation in creating a comfortable and respectful living environment.
Q. Can residents use the shared spaces on both the first and second floors?
A. As a general rule, residents living on the first floor use the shared spaces on the first floor, while residents living on the second floor use those on the second floor. By dividing the shared spaces in this way, we aim to reduce crowding and provide a more relaxed and comfortable living environment for everyone.
Q. Who is responsible for cleaning the shared areas and taking out the trash?
A. Cleaning the shared areas and taking out the trash are handled on a rotating schedule by both residents and Heart Share management. 🧹 The responsibility rotates weekly. Depending on the number of residents, your turn will usually come around approximately once every one to two months. We appreciate your cooperation in helping to keep the house clean and comfortable for everyone.
Q. Will I hear noise from other residents?
A. Yes. Because a share house is a shared living environment, you will naturally hear some everyday sounds from other residents. Just as you would hear everyday sounds when living with family, normal living sounds are also part of life in a share house. At the same time, having other people around can bring a sense of warmth and reassurance that is unique to shared living. During the daytime, residents are free to go about their normal daily activities. However, we ask everyone to keep noise to a minimum between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. During these quiet hours, we ask residents to be especially considerate: Please open and close doors gently and keep footsteps and conversations quiet. Please use the vibration setting on your smartphone for alarms whenever possible. Please use headphones or keep the volume low when watching videos or making calls. By being considerate of one another and making small compromises when needed, everyone can help create a comfortable and enjoyable home. ♪