A guarantor company's screening is judged on multiple factors — income, contract terms, and more — so you may not pass screening for a property you wanted. Even so, failing screening doesn't mean your housing search is over. This article takes a neutral look at what you can do next. We also cover how guarantor companies work and what they check during screening in a separate article.
- A guarantor company's screening decision is based on multiple factors, including your income and the contract terms.
- If you don't pass, it's worth first checking whether there was an issue with your documents or a mismatch with the conditions.
- Adjusting property conditions, such as the rent level, can sometimes change how likely you are to pass.
- You can also try a property that uses a different guarantor company, or consult a different real estate agency.
- You can also consider options that don't require a guarantor or guarantor company at all, such as UR rental housing.
A Recap of the Factors That Typically Affect Screening
In a guarantor company's screening, it's common for the balance between your income and rent, your employment type, and your residency status to all be reviewed together. Screening criteria differ by guarantor company, and so does which factors are weighted most heavily. Because the same income situation can be evaluated differently by different guarantor companies, one result doesn't mean the same thing everywhere. Knowing what's generally checked during screening is a helpful starting point for thinking about your next step.
What to Check First: Document Issues or a Mismatch in Conditions
If you don't pass, start by checking whether there was anything missing from the documents you submitted, or whether the balance between your desired rent and your income met the screening criteria. Asking your real estate agent about the background to the result, as far as they're able to share, is also worth trying. If the cause was missing documents or an error in what was submitted, resubmitting can sometimes change the outcome.
Reconsidering the Property Conditions
If the rent range you had in mind was somewhat high relative to the screening criteria, adjusting the rent level slightly can sometimes turn up properties you're more likely to pass screening for. Adjusting conditions like the area, the building's age, or the floor size can also widen your options, so it's worth reconsidering your conditions in consultation with your real estate agent.
Trying a Different Guarantor Company or a Different Real Estate Agency
Since screening criteria differ by guarantor company, even under the same conditions, a different property that uses a different guarantor company might give a different result. Which guarantor companies an agency works with varies, so consulting several real estate agencies is one option worth considering. Sharing your desired conditions with multiple agencies also makes it easier to hear about properties handled by a guarantor company that suits your situation.
Guarantor-Free Options such as UR Rental Housing
If you don't pass a guarantor company's screening, you can also consider options that don't require a guarantor or guarantor company at all, such as UR rental housing (UR chōtai jūtaku). We cover the application conditions and property features in detail in a separate article — please have a look.
Making Use of Consultation Services
If it feels hard to decide on your own, you can also consult your real estate agent or your local municipal housing consultation service. By organizing and explaining your situation, you can often get help thinking through the options that suit you. Sharing your situation early can also make it easier to receive smooth proposals for your next property search. It's worth taking your time and consulting several sources as you move forward.
FAQ
Can I be told the reason I failed a guarantor company's screening?
Guarantor companies often don't disclose their screening criteria, and the detailed reason may not be shared. It's worth asking your real estate agent about the background, as far as they're able to share.
If I fail once, does that affect screening for other properties?
Screening is generally carried out separately by each guarantor company, so one result doesn't necessarily directly affect screening by another guarantor company. That said, the details vary by guarantor company.
Is there housing I can rent without using a guarantor company?
Yes — options such as UR rental housing don't require a guarantor or guarantor company. We cover the details in a separate article.
Summary
Even if you don't pass a guarantor company's screening, there are several things you can do next — reviewing your documents and conditions, or consulting a different guarantor company or real estate agency. Consider options like UR rental housing as well, and take your time finding housing that suits you.