During tenant screening for a lease, what gets checked can vary a bit depending on your residence status (screening in general is covered in What Landlords Check During Tenant Screening in Japan). This article looks at how renting tends to go, and what's worth preparing, for common residence statuses — international students, technical intern trainees, Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services, Highly Skilled Professional, and permanent residents.
- What screening looks for varies somewhat depending on your residence status.
- International students may be asked for a guarantor or proof of enrollment, given their shorter period of stay.
- Technical intern trainees and specified skilled workers should pay attention to proof of employer and any restrictions on moving.
- Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services and Highly Skilled Professional visas tend to screen relatively smoothly, though the guarantee company's underlying criteria don't change dramatically.
- Permanent residents and spouses of Japanese nationals are screened closer to the general standard.
- Regardless of residence status, it's reassuring to have your residence card, proof of income, and employment contract ready in advance.
Screening Points Vary by Residence Status
Guarantee companies and management companies check your residence status as part of tenant screening. Because the length of stay and how employment is documented differ by residence status, the points checked and the documents requested vary too. Knowing which category your own residence status falls closest to makes it easier to prepare.
International Students: Shorter Stay, Guarantor, and Proof of Enrollment
International students are often granted a shorter period of stay than work-based residence statuses, so a guarantor or proof of enrollment from your school may be requested in place of income documentation. Money from home or part-time work income alone is sometimes considered insufficient on its own, so it's worth checking with your school's student affairs office early and confirming what documents you'll need.
Technical Intern Trainees and Specified Skilled Workers: Proof of Employer, and Restrictions on Moving
For technical intern trainee and specified skilled worker residence statuses, proof from your employer (the organization implementing the training, or the accepting organization) becomes an important part of the check. There may also be restrictions tied to your period of stay or to moving, so if you're considering changing address, it's important to check with your employer's contact person or supervising organization beforehand.
Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services and Highly Skilled Professional: Screening Tends to Go Relatively Smoothly
Residence statuses such as Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services and Highly Skilled Professional tend to have a relatively long period of stay and employment that's easier to document, so screening is often said to go relatively smoothly. That said, the guarantee company's underlying screening criteria don't differ dramatically from other residence statuses — factors like income and length of employment are still checked alongside everything else.
Permanent Residents and Spouses of Japanese Nationals: Closer to the General Standard
For status-based residence categories like permanent resident or spouse of a Japanese national, restrictions tied to period of stay are fewer, so screening standards move closer to what's applied to Japanese nationals in general. That said, income and whether you have a joint guarantor are still items that continue to be checked.
Documents Worth Preparing Regardless of Residence Status
Whatever your residence status, documents such as your residence card, proof of income (a pay slip or certificate of taxable income, for example), and an employment contract or proof of enrollment tend to be commonly requested. Having these gathered together in advance tends to make screening go more smoothly.
FAQ
Can international students living alone still get a lease?
Yes, it's possible, but given the shorter period of stay, you may be asked to provide a guarantor or proof of enrollment. Your school's student affairs office can often point you to the documents you'll need.
Are there restrictions on moving for technical intern trainees?
Technical intern trainees may face restrictions on moving because of their relationship with the organization implementing their training. If you're considering a move, it's important to check with your employer's contact person or supervising organization first.
Does having a Highly Skilled Professional visa guarantee you'll pass screening?
Not necessarily. Even with a Highly Skilled Professional visa, the guarantee company's underlying screening criteria don't differ greatly from other residence statuses — income, length of employment, and other factors are also checked.
Summary
What gets checked during tenant screening varies by residence status, but basic documents like a residence card and proof of income tend to be requested regardless of which one you hold. Preparing in advance according to your own residence status helps your apartment search go smoothly.