Phrases to use when talking to a real estate agent in Japanese
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.
Additional Expressions for Clarifying Details
When speaking with a Japanese real estate agent, it is important to clarify details beyond basic questions to avoid misunderstandings later on:
-
契約期間はどのくらいですか？
Keiyaku kikan wa dono kurai desu ka?
How long is the lease period? -
光熱費は家賃に含まれていますか？
Kōnetsuhi wa yachin ni fukumarete imasu ka?
Are utilities included in the rent? -
入居前に部屋の掃除は必要ですか？
Nyūkyo mae ni heya no sōji wa hitsuyō desu ka?
Do I need to clean the room before moving in? -
駐車場はありますか？
Chūshajō wa arimasu ka?
Is there a parking space?
These questions help ensure all aspects of living arrangements are transparent.
Understanding Key Terminology
Japanese real estate conversations often include specific jargon. Knowing these terms improves communication:
- 礼金 (Reikin): A non-refundable “key money” paid to the landlord as a thank-you.
- 敷金 (Shikikin): A refundable security deposit, used to cover damages or unpaid rent.
- 家賃 (Yachin): Rent amount.
- 管理費 (Kanri-hi): Maintenance or management fees for building upkeep, sometimes separate from rent.
- 契約書 (Keiyaku-sho): Lease contract.
- 更新料 (Kōshin-ryō): Contract renewal fee, sometimes charged annually.
Understanding these terms avoids confusion when discussing payments or contracts.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Japanese real estate culture has some differences that foreign learners often miss:
- Assuming English is widely spoken: Many agents may have limited English, so practicing polite Japanese phrases helps much.
- Misunderstanding 礼金 (Reikin): Many foreigners expect all deposits to be refundable but 礼金 is usually not refunded.
- Not confirming move-in times clearly: Moving dates and times should be explicitly confirmed to avoid schedule issues.
- Overlooking shared facility rules: Rules about laundry times, noise, or guests in sharehouses should be confirmed to prevent conflicts.
Being mindful of these pitfalls leads to smoother experiences.
Step-by-Step Guide for a Real Estate Viewing Conversation
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Greeting and stating your purpose
こんにちは、部屋を探しているのですが、案内して頂けますか？
Konnichiwa, heya o sagashite iru no desu ga, annai shite itadakemasu ka?
Hello, I’m looking for a room; could you show me around? -
Asking about availability and move-in date
この部屋はまだ空いていますか？いつから入居可能でしょうか？
Kono heya wa mada aite imasu ka? Itsu kara nyūkyo kanō deshō ka?
Is this room still available? When can I move in? -
Inquiring about monthly rent and extra costs
家賃はいくらですか？管理費や光熱費は含まれていますか？
Yachin wa ikura desu ka? Kanri-hi ya kōnetsuhi wa fukumarete imasu ka?
How much is the rent? Does it include management and utility fees? -
Clarifying contract conditions
契約期間や礼金、敷金について教えてください。
Keiyaku kikan ya reikin, shikikin ni tsuite oshiete kudasai.
Please tell me about the lease term, key money, and security deposit. -
Checking room conditions and facilities
収納スペースは十分ありますか？インターネットは使えますか？
Shūnō supēsu wa jūbun arimasu ka? Intānetto wa tsukaemasu ka?
Is there enough storage space? Can I use the internet? -
Requesting a viewing
部屋を見せて頂けますか？
Heya o misete itadakemasu ka?
May I see the room? -
Thanking and following up
本日はありがとうございました。明日までに検討してご連絡します。
Honjitsu wa arigatō gozaimashita. Ashita made ni kentō shite go-renraku shimasu.
Thank you for today. I will consider and contact you by tomorrow.
Politeness and Cultural Notes
Politeness is essential when speaking to a real estate agent in Japan. Use 「～ていただけますか」 or 「～てください」 forms to make respectful requests. Phrases like ありがとうございます and お願いします go a long way. Also, avoid direct or blunt questions; phrasing as requests or inquiries shows better manners.
FAQ
Q: What if I don’t understand something the agent says?
It is common to ask for repetition or clarification politely:
すみません、もう一度ゆっくり言っていただけますか？
Sumimasen, mō ichido yukkuri itte itadakemasu ka?
Excuse me, could you say that again slowly?
Q: How formal should I be?
Use polite language (敬語, keigo) with real estate agents, especially for first meetings. This shows respect and professionalism.
Q: Can I negotiate rent or terms using these phrases?
While negotiation isn’t very common in Japanese rentals, asking politely about flexibility is possible:
家賃について少し相談できますか？
Yachin ni tsuite sukoshi sōdan dekimasu ka?
Can I discuss the rent a little?
These expanded phrases, cultural tips, and clarifications provide a well-rounded toolkit for anyone negotiating or renting property in Japan, especially useful for polyglot learners aiming to engage confidently with real estate agents in Japanese.