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4月から新学期が始まります。新しい住まい選びも重要ですね。学生寮のほか、民間のアパートを借りる留学生もいます。留学生のReshmiさんが、日本でアパートを借りる際の手続きや流れについて概要を紹介しています。ぜひご覧ください！

The new school term starts in April. Choosing a new place to live is also important. In addition to student dormitories, some international students rent private apartments. Reshmi, an international student, introduces an overview of the procedures and process for renting an apartment in Japan. Please take a look!

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House shifting in Japan as an international Student

Reshmi Tabassum Hasnat

Graduate Student, Iwate University

When international students come to Iwate University from their home countries, most are accommodated at the International House (Kokusai Koryu Kaikan). The international house provides well-furnished rooms with all the essential daily facilities for international students. So, students can find a comfortable place after coming to Japan and concentrate on their studies without any kind of hassle. One international can stay in the international house for around one year, but the duration may vary depending on the situation. The moving period can be in April or October when the new semester of the university is about to start. As an international student of Iwate University, I have the experience of moving from the international house to the apartment. To make the transition from living in a dorm to the first apartment, I want to share my experience for an easy-breezy move.

The first challenge of moving from the international house is to find a suitable apartment that fulfills one's requirements. The students from Iwate University can search for their desired apartments from the Co-op's division of housing and local real estate. You can check the available houses for rent on their website, or you can directly go to the office. You can consult with the Co-op's staff about your apartment's requirements and they will help you to select a suitable apartment. Another option is to consult with a real estate company (in Japanese "Fudousan") and they will help you to find your apartment. One of the main problems with the real estate company is that the renter needs to introduce a joint guarantor (in Japanese "Hoshonin"). In Japan, before moving into a rental property, the renter needs a joint guarantor and is required to pay a deposit, a possible landlord gratuity, a possible handling charge, and one month's rent in advance. Other real estate company service fees are higher compared to the Co-op's division. Iwate University can serve as a joint guarantor of any international student who decides to buy "Comprehensive Renter's Insurance for Foreign Students Studying in Japan." So, it is convenient to take the facilities from the Co-op's division for finding private housing.

Let's talk about how you can transfer your belongings from the international house to the rented house. There are many carts on the university campus for students to move their belongings. If you have large appliances or furniture, you can consult with a moving company to select the best moving plan. It is better to ask for help from your friends or laboratory mates while moving your belongings for a smooth move.

After renting an apartment, it is necessary to inform the electricity, gas, and water supply companies about the possible date you started living in the house. It is necessary to inform the companies over telephone at least one week before because at the end of the fiscal year they are pretty busy. If you don't know the Japanese language well, the Co-op's division staff will help you regarding this.

After moving to a new apartment, it is necessary to change the address on your residence card. So, to register the new address on your residence card inform the city office as soon as you can. Also, it is better to inform the bank authority about your new address.

It is a difficult task while moving from the international house to a rented house. But if someone makes a check list before moving it will be easier. The Co-op's division staff are helpful to the international students searching for a suitable apartment, and you can consult any housing related problems with them.

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