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Phrases to use when talking to a real estate agent in Japanese visualisation

Phrases to use when talking to a real estate agent in Japanese

Navigate the Market: Real Estate and Housing Vocabulary in Japanese: Phrases to use when talking to a real estate agent in Japanese
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Here are useful Japanese phrases to use when talking to a real estate agent:

  • いつから入居可能ですか？
    Itsu kara nyūkyo kanō desu ka?
    When can I move in?

  • ルームメイトは誰ですか？彼らの性別と大体の年齢、国籍を知りたいです。
    Rūmumeito wa dare desu ka? Karera no seibetsu to daitai no nenrei, kokuseki o shiritai desu.
    Who will be my roommates? I would like to know their sex, approximate ages, and nationality.

  • 私は日本語を勉強中なので、英語が喋れない人とのシェアを好みます。
    Watashi wa nihongo o benkyō-chū nanode, eigo ga shaberenai hito to no shea o konomimasu.
    I’m studying Japanese, so I prefer to share with non-English-speaking people.

  • 学校まで電車で何線でどれくらいかかるか教えて頂けますか？
    Gakkō made densha de nani-sen de dore kurai ka kakaru ka oshiete itadakemasu ka?
    Could you tell me what train line to take to my school, and how long it takes?

  • 洗濯機と乾燥機は一回いくらですか？それらは、シェアハウスの中にありますか？
    Sentakki to kansōki wa ikkai ikura desu ka? Sorera wa, sheahausu no naka ni arimasu ka?
    How much are the washing machine and dryer? Are they in the sharehouse?

  • 礼金、敷金はいくらですか？
    Reikin, shikikin wa ikura desu ka?
    How much are the deposits?

  • 家賃はいつ、どのように払いますか？クレジットでの支払いも可能ですか？
    Yachin wa itsu, dono yō ni haraimasu ka? Kurejitto de no shiharai mo kanō desu ka?
    When and how should I pay the rent? Can I pay it by credit card?

  • 収納スペースは、どれくらいありますか？
    Shūnō supēsu wa, dore kurai arimasu ka?
    How much storage space is available?

  • 何か特別なルールはありますか？
    Nani ka tokubetsu-na rūru wa arimasu ka?
    Are there any specific rules?

  • 門限はありますか？
    Mongen wa arimasu ka?
    Is there a curfew?

  • 食器や料理器具は揃っていますか？
    Shokki ya ryōri kigu wa sorotte imasu ka?
    Are there any plates and appliances that I can use?

  • 今日は、部屋を見せて頂きありがとうございました。
    Kyō wa, heya o misete itadaki arigatō gozaimashita.
    Thank you for showing me your room today.

  • 明日までに、入居するかを決めてメールでご連絡します。
    Ashita made ni, nyūkyo suru ka o kimete mēru de go-renraku shimasu.
    I will decide whether I move in or not by tomorrow and let you know by email.

  • それでは、８月１日から入居しても大丈夫ですか？良かったら引越の時間は、何時がいいですか？どのように鍵を受け取りましょうか？
    Sore de wa, hachi-gatsu tsuitachi kara nyūkyo shite mo daijōbu desu ka? Yokattara, hikkoshi no jikan wa, nan-ji ga ī desu ka? Dono yō ni kagi o uketorimashō ka?
    Could I move into the house on August 1st? If so, what time should I move in? How can I get the key?

These phrases cover common topics like moving-in date, roommates, rent payment, facilities, and polite thanks for assistance with apartment viewing.

Essential Politeness and Formality When Speaking to Real Estate Agents

In Japanese business interactions, politeness is crucial and real estate agents expect respectful language. Using ～ていただけますか (～te itadakemasu ka) or ～てくださいませんか (～te kudasaimasen ka) forms adds extra politeness when making requests.

For example:

  • 見学させていただけますか？
    Kengaku sasete itadakemasu ka?
    Could you please allow me to view the property?

This phrasing is more polite than just asking 見せてください (misete kudasai), helping to create a positive impression which can be especially important in competitive rental markets in cities like Tokyo or Osaka.

Asking About Lease Terms and Contract Details

When renting in Japan, lease contracts often include terms that might differ from what learners expect, such as 礼金 (reikin) and 敷金 (shikikin). 礼金 is a non-refundable “thank you” money paid to the landlord, often equivalent to 1-2 months’ rent, and 敷金 is a security deposit refundable after deductions for repairs.

Useful questions include:

  • 礼金と敷金は何ヶ月分ですか？
    Reikin to shikikin wa nankagetsu bun desu ka?
    How many months’ rent do the key money and deposits cover?

  • 契約期間はどのくらいですか？
    Keiyaku kikan wa dono kurai desu ka?
    How long is the contract period?

  • 途中で解約した場合、違約金はありますか？
    Tochū de kaiyaku shita baai, iyaku-kin wa arimasu ka?
    Is there a penalty for breaking the contract early?

Understanding these terms helps avoid unexpected costs or conditions during the rental process.

Phrases to Clarify Facilities and Utilities

In Japanese housing, the availability and cost of utilities like electricity, gas, and internet may vary. Asking clear questions about what is included can prevent billing surprises later.

For example:

  • 電気・ガス・水道料金は家賃に含まれていますか？
    Denki, gasu, suidō ryōkin wa yachin ni fukumarete imasu ka?
    Are electricity, gas, and water charges included in the rent?

  • インターネットは利用可能ですか？無料ですか？
    Intānetto wa riyō kanō desu ka? Muryō desu ka?
    Is internet available? Is it free?

  • ゴミ出しのルールを教えてください。
    Gomi-dashi no rūru o oshiete kudasai.
    Please tell me the garbage disposal rules.

Getting clarity on these points prevents misunderstandings since shared housing or apartments often have strict communal rules about trash sorting and pickup times.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

  • Mixing polite levels: Switching between casual and formal language can confuse or offend the agent. Maintain keigo (polite language) consistently during the conversation.
  • Skipping confirmations: Always confirm key details like the move-in date or payment deadlines by repeating them back. This avoids miscommunication. For example:
    • 入居日が8月1日でよろしいですか？
      Nyūkyo-bi ga hachi-gatsu tsuitachi de yoroshii desu ka?
      Is August 1st okay for the move-in date?
  • Forgetting to inquire about the payment process: Japan often requires monthly rent to be paid by bank transfer, with deadlines varying by landlord. Confirming is essential:
    • 家賃の支払いは毎月何日ですか？
      Yachin no shiharai wa maitsuki nan-nichi desu ka?
      On what day of the month is rent payment due?

Step-by-Step Guidance: What to Say During an Apartment Viewing

  1. Arrive on time and greet politely:

    • おはようございます。今日はよろしくお願いいたします。
      Ohayō gozaimasu. Kyō wa yoroshiku onegaishimasu.
      Good morning. Thank you for your time today.

  2. Ask about the property’s details:

    • 部屋の広さはどれくらいですか？
      Heya no hirosa wa dore kurai desu ka?
      How big is the room?

    • 日当たりはいいですか？
      Hiatari wa ii desu ka?
      Does it get much sunlight?

  3. Verify facilities and rules:

    • 駐輪場はありますか？
      Chūrinjō wa arimasu ka?
      Is there parking for bicycles?

    • ペットは飼えますか？
      Petto wa kaemasu ka?
      Are pets allowed?

  4. Confirm move-in procedures:

    • 入居までに必要な書類は何ですか？
      Nyūkyo made ni hitsuyō na shorui wa nan desu ka?
      What documents do I need to prepare before moving in?

  5. Express gratitude at the end:

    • 本日はお時間をいただきありがとうございました。
      Honjitsu wa ojikan o itadaki arigatō gozaimashita.
      Thank you for your time today.

Active practice of these phrases in simulated or real conversation accelerates fluency and confidence when negotiating in Japanese.

FAQ: Common Questions When Talking to Real Estate Agents in Japan

Q: How do I politely ask to negotiate the rent?
A: Negotiations are less common but you can say:

  • 家賃について相談させていただけますか？
    Yachin ni tsuite sōdan sasete itadakemasu ka?
    May I discuss the rent price?

Q: What phrase can I use to ask if pets are allowed?
A:

  • ペットは飼ってもいいですか？
    Petto wa katte mo ii desu ka?

Q: How can I confirm the key handover time?
A:

  • 鍵の受け取り時間は何時ですか？
    Kagi no uketori jikan wa nan-ji desu ka?

Q: How do I ask if the property is furnished?
A:

  • 家具は付いていますか？
    Kagu wa tsuiteimasu ka?

This expanded set of phrases and context enables learners to navigate Japanese real estate conversations confidently and politely, covering essential practical needs and cultural communication norms.

References