{"id":2801,"date":"2009-03-21T11:59:57","date_gmt":"2009-03-21T02:59:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.debito.org\/?p=2801"},"modified":"2009-03-21T12:00:12","modified_gmt":"2009-03-21T03:00:12","slug":"metropolis-mag-on-how-to-get-your-housing-deposit-shikikin-back","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.debito.org\/?p=2801","title":{"rendered":"Metropolis Mag on how to get your housing deposit (shikikin) back"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Handbook<\/a>\"\\\"<\/a>\"Foreign<\/a>\"\\\"<\/a>\"\u300c\u30b8\u30e3\u30d1\u30cb\u30fc\u30ba\u30fb\u30aa\u30f3\u30ea\u30fc\u3000\u5c0f\u6a3d\u5165\u6d74\u62d2\u5426\u554f\u984c\u3068\u4eba\u7a2e\u5dee\u5225\u300d\uff08\u660e\u77f3\u66f8\u5e97\uff09\"<\/a>\"JAPANESE<\/a>\"sourstrawberriesavatar\"<\/a>
\nHi Blog. \u00a0Just spotted an excellent article in Tokyo’s METROPOLIS Magazine, on Shikikin (rental deposits), what they cover, how you can get them back, and, very importantly, the Japanese terminology involved in negotiation. \u00a0Well done. \u00a0For those who cannot get the magazine, here is the text of the article. Arudou Debito in Tokyo<\/p>\n

================================<\/p>\n

HOUSE PROUD SECTION page 12<\/strong><\/p>\n

Metropolis Magazine, March 20, 2009<\/strong><\/p>\n

http:\/\/metropolis.co.jp\/specials\/782\/782_top.htm#2<\/a><\/p>\n

THAT SHIKIKIN FEELING
\nWE DELVE INTO THE CONFUSING WORLD OF APARTMENT DEPOSITS\u2014AND HOW TO GET THEM BACK<\/strong><\/p>\n

You may feel like you\u2019ve had to wrestle with all kinds of bureaucracy to land that perfect 1DK apartment, but the fun and games don\u2019t end when the contract is stamped. Moving out can present a whole new world of hassle. For many tenants, both foreign and Japanese, the hard-earned shikikin (deposit) they paid when they moved in becomes nothing but a distant memory, as landlords have their way with the cash and return only the change to the renter.<\/em><\/p>\n

Kazutaka Hayakawa works for the NPO Shinshu Matsumoto Alps Wind, a group that specializes in helping get that deposit back. Here he offers up the basics on renters\u2019 rights.<\/em><\/p>\n

What is shikikin for?
\n<\/strong> Shikikin is a form of deposit that was originally meant to cover unpaid rent during or at the end of a contract. Somewhere along the lines, landlords began to use the money for other purposes, known under the umbrella term of genjou kaifuku, or \u201creturning the room to its original condition.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

So what does genjou kaifuku entail?
\n<\/strong> Genjou kaifuku is the maintenance done on the room to make it suitable for the next tenant. Everything from simple cleaning to re-wallpapering or replacing tatami mats is categorized under this term, and unfortunately, shikikin is often used to pay for the work. While this is not illegal per se, it\u2019s debatable as to why a renter should have to pay for cleaning or renovations for the next tenant. To protect renters\u2019 rights in this gray area, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport released a set of guidelines about ten years ago for the types of maintenance for which shikikin should be used, based on who is responsible for the damages.<\/em><\/p>\n

While these remain merely guidelines for the rest of the country, Tokyo Prefecture enacted a law in 2004 (the Chintai Juutaku Funsou Boushi Jourei) that was directed at landlords and real estate agents, detailing the responsibilities of landlords and tenants in returning rental property to its original condition, as well as covering maintenance during the contract.<\/em><\/p>\n

What to do if your shikikin is being used unfairly or unlawfully
\n<\/strong> While the balance of power between landlord and tenant traditionally doesn\u2019t favor the little guy, times are changing and renters are finding it easier to defend their rights. Hayakawa has the following tips for those who smell something fishy:<\/em><\/p>\n

\u2022 Know your rights: Familiarize yourself with the relevant laws, and never forget that shikikin is legally your money.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u2022 Talk it out: Many landlords are open to discussion, and some don\u2019t even realize they\u2019re doing anything wrong. Show your landlord a copy of the government guidelines and try to work things out face-to-face.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u2022 Recruit some support: Numerous organizations and businesses like Shinshu Matsumoto Alps Wind exist in all parts of the country, and are willing to work as mediators for a nominal fee.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u2022 Last-ditch effort: Small claims courts offer special services for shikikin disputes, and they can work things out in the space of a few hours for a small percentage of the total disputed amount.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Hayakawa stresses that 99 percent of shikikin disputes can be resolved just by talking things through. Take photos of the apartment for evidence, ideally before moving in (though afterwards is fine too). Make sure the landlord provides copies of all receipts for work done using shikikin money. Sometimes real estate agents will also be willing to mediate disputes, but many provide little follow-up service to renters and will disappear from the scene after the contract is signed and they\u2019ve received their cut. Agents who have long-standing relationships with landlords also tend to be a bit biased, so it may be best to recruit the help of a Japanese-speaking friend or special \u201cShikikin Dispute Mediator\u201d (shikikin henkan dairinin) when entering into negotiations.<\/em><\/p>\n

DIVISION OF RESPONSIBILITIES FOR MAINTENANCE OF RENTAL PROPERTY<\/strong><\/p>\n

LANDLORD\u2019S RESPONSIBILITIES
\nFlooring<\/strong>
\n Responsible for: marks on flooring and carpets caused by heavy furniture; fading of tatami and flooring due to age and\/or sunlight
\nProcedures: replacing tatami, waxing floors<\/em><\/p>\n

Walls & Ceiling
\n<\/strong> Responsible for: nicotine stains; marks on walls left by fridge or TV; pinholes from hanging posters, etc.
\nProcedures: replacing wallpaper, filling holes<\/em><\/p>\n

Fittings & Doors
\n<\/strong> Responsible for: glass broken due to earthquakes; naturally occurring cracks in reinforced glass
\nProcedures: replacing glass<\/em><\/p>\n

Other
\n<\/strong> Responsible for: lighting and other machinery that no longer works due to age
\nProcedures: replacing locks, disinfecting kitchen and bathroom, replacing water heater, etc.<\/em>
\n RENTER\u2019S RESPONSIBILITIES
\nFlooring<\/strong>
\n Responsible for: scratches on flooring caused by moving furniture; stains on carpet, tatami or flooring due to spillage or rain damage
\nProcedures: replacing tatami, carpets, etc.<\/em><\/p>\n

Walls & Ceiling
\n<\/strong> Responsible for: oil stains on walls in kitchen; mold and stains due to accumulated moisture; corrosion of air conditioning unit; holes from nails; ceiling damage caused by lighting fixtures
\nProcedures: replacing wallpaper, filling holes, patching<\/em><\/p>\n

Fittings & Doors
\n<\/strong> Responsible for: damage and stains caused by pets<\/em><\/p>\n

Other
\n<\/strong> Responsible for: damage due to lack of care or misuse<\/em><\/p>\n

From the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport\u2019s \u201cGuidelines for Returning Rental Property to its Original Condition\u201d (Genjou Kaifuku Wo Meguru Toraburu To Gaidorain)<\/em><\/p>\n

ENDS<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

THAT SHIKIKIN FEELING
\nMETROPOLIS MAGAZINE (TOKYO) DELVES INTO THE CONFUSING WORLD OF APARTMENT DEPOSITS\u2014AND HOW TO GET THEM BACK<\/p>\n

You may feel like you\u2019ve had to wrestle with all kinds of bureaucracy to land that perfect 1DK apartment, but the fun and games don\u2019t end when the contract is stamped. Moving out can present a whole new world of hassle. For many tenants, both foreign and Japanese, the hard-earned shikikin (deposit) they paid when they moved in becomes nothing but a distant memory, as landlords have their way with the cash and return only the change to the renter.<\/p>\n

Kazutaka Hayakawa works for the NPO Shinshu Matsumoto Alps Wind, a group that specializes in helping get that deposit back. Here he offers up the basics on renters\u2019 rights…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[28,43,22],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2801","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-anti-discrimination-templates","category-bad-business-practices","category-cultural-issue"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.debito.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2801","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.debito.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.debito.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.debito.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.debito.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2801"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.debito.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2801\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.debito.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2801"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.debito.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2801"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.debito.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2801"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}