Japanese - Renting an Apartment

Lesson 121 of 168

A polite conversation at a Japanese real-estate office about renting an apartment — papers, keys, and a contract on the desk.

Goal: Asking about applications, fees, and move-out details

Free Japanese lessons with guided practice, audio, and speaking support.

Welcome! This short lesson helps you ask the key questions when renting an apartment in Japanese. Practice listening, repeating, and speaking these useful polite phrases so you feel confident at the real estate office.

Level B1: Lesson 121 — in this lesson you'll practice polite rental questions you need when applying, signing, and moving out (documents, fees, payment methods, repairs, and contract details). This CEFR-aligned pack focuses on practical phrases you can use with agents and landlords.

After this lesson you'll be able to:

  • Ask what documents are required for an application (申し込みには、どんな書類が必要ですか。).
  • Ask about fees, payment methods, and lease renewal politely.
  • Clarify who handles repairs, notice periods, and request a copy of the contract before signing.
A learner asking an agent in Japanese about application documents, fees, and payment options for an apartment.

Ready? Let's go!

When you tap play on phrases, we track your progress through this lesson.

1. Reading + Listening Practice

Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.

修理が必要なときは、誰が対応しますか。

Shūri ga hitsuyō na toki wa, dare ga taiō shimasu ka.

Who is responsible for repairs?

Meaning: Who is responsible for repairs?

When to use: Ask when something in the apartment needs fixing (e.g., appliances or plumbing).

Tip: Avoid using 「やる」for formal requests; use 「対応します」 or 「対応してくれますか」 for polite phrasing.

修理が必要なときは、誰が対応しますか。

Shūri ga hitsuyō na toki wa, dare ga taiō shimasu ka.

Who handles repairs when something needs fixing?
エアコンの故障があれば、管理会社が対応しますか。

Eakon no koshō ga areba, kanri gaisha ga taiō shimasu ka.

If the air conditioner breaks, does the management company handle it?

契約が終わったあと、更新できますか。

Keiyaku ga owatta ato, kōshin dekimasu ka.

Can I renew the lease after it ends?

Meaning: Can I renew the lease after it ends?

When to use: Ask about extending or renewing the rental contract at the end of the term.

契約が終わったあと、更新できますか。

Keiyaku ga owatta ato, kōshin dekimasu ka.

Can I renew the contract after it ends?
更新手続きに追加の費用はかかりますか。

Kōshin tetsuzuki ni tsuika no hiyō wa kakarimasu ka.

Does renewal require any extra fees?

申し込みには、どんな書類が必要ですか。

Mōshikomi ni wa, donna shorui ga hitsuyō desu ka.

What documents do I need for the application?

Meaning: What documents do I need for the application?

When to use: Ask before submitting your rental application so you can bring the right paperwork.

申し込みには、どんな書類が必要ですか。

Mōshikomi ni wa, donna shorui ga hitsuyō desu ka.

What documents are required for the application?
保証人の情報は申し込みに必要ですか。

Hoshōnin no jōhō wa mōshikomi ni hitsuyō desu ka.

Is guarantor information needed for the application?

申し込みに手数料はかかりますか。

Mōshikomi ni tesūryō wa kakarimasu ka.

Is there an application fee?

Meaning: Is there an application fee?

When to use: Ask whether you need to pay a fee when applying for the apartment.

申し込みに手数料はかかりますか。

Mōshikomi ni tesūryō wa kakarimasu ka.

Is there a fee for the application?
仲介手数料は申し込みのときに支払いますか。

Chūkai tesūryō wa mōshikomi no toki ni shiharai masu ka.

Do we pay the agent fee at the time of application?

家賃は___で払えますか。

Yachin wa ___ de haraemasu ka.

Can I pay the rent by ___?

Meaning: Can I pay the rent by ___?

When to use: Ask which payment methods are accepted for monthly rent (credit card, bank transfer, cash, etc.).

Tip: Beginners sometimes use particle 「に」 after payment method; correct particle here is 「で」 (method).

家賃はクレジットカードで払えますか。

Yachin wa kurejitto kādo de haraemasu ka.

Can I pay the rent by credit card?
家賃は銀行振込で払えますか。

Yachin wa ginkō furikomi de haraemasu ka.

Can I pay the rent by bank transfer?

家賃のほかに、何か追加の費用はありますか。

Yachin no hoka ni, nanika tsuika no hiyō wa arimasu ka.

Are there any extra fees I should know about?

Meaning: Are there any extra fees I should know about?

When to use: Ask what costs beyond base rent you may need to pay (maintenance, management, utilities, etc.).

家賃のほかに、何か追加の費用はありますか。

Yachin no hoka ni, nanika tsuika no hiyō wa arimasu ka.

Are there any additional costs besides the rent?
家賃のほかに管理費や共益費はかかりますか。

Yachin no hoka ni kanrihi ya kyōekihi wa kakarimasu ka.

Are there management or common-area fees in addition to rent?

サインする前に、契約書のコピーを見せてもらえますか。

Sain suru mae ni, keiyakusho no kopī o misete moraemasu ka.

Can I see a copy of the lease before I sign?

Meaning: Can I see a copy of the lease before I sign?

When to use: Request to review the contract before you commit or sign.

サインする前に、契約書のコピーを見せてもらえますか。

Sain suru mae ni, keiyakusho no kopī o misete moraemasu ka.

Can I see a copy of the contract before signing?
重要な条項はサイン前に確認したいです。契約書を見せてもらえますか。

Jūyō na jōkō wa sain mae ni kakunin shitai desu. Keiyakusho o misete moraemasu ka.

I want to check key clauses before signing. Can you show me the contract?

退去するときは、何日前までに連絡が必要ですか。

Taikyo suru toki wa, nan-nichi mae made ni renraku ga hitsuyō desu ka.

What is the notice period for moving out?

Meaning: What is the notice period for moving out?

When to use: Ask how many days' notice you must give before leaving the apartment.

Tip: Learners sometimes say 「何日くらい？」 informally; in formal rental questions use 「何日前までに」 for clarity.

退去するときは、何日前までに連絡が必要ですか。

Taikyo suru toki wa, nan-nichi mae made ni renraku ga hitsuyō desu ka.

How many days' notice is required when moving out?
退去の連絡はメールでも大丈夫ですか、何日前までに連絡すればいいですか。

Taikyo no renraku wa mēru demo daijōbu desu ka, nan-nichi mae made ni renraku sureba ii desu ka.

Is email okay for the notice, and how many days in advance should I notify?

___に問題があったことはありますか。

___ ni mondai ga atta koto wa arimasu ka.

Has there been any problem with ___?

Meaning: Has there been any problem with ___?

When to use: Ask whether a particular appliance, place, or neighborhood has had issues in the past.

エアコンに問題があったことはありますか。

Eakon ni mondai ga atta koto wa arimasu ka.

Has there ever been a problem with the air conditioner?
近所に問題があったことはありますか。

Kinjo ni mondai ga atta koto wa arimasu ka.

Has there ever been any trouble with the neighborhood?

2. Conversational Listening Practice

Hear phrases in a real mini-conversation.

At the rental agency desk: Anna asks about the application and contract; David answers and mentions fees and repairs.

Two people at a rental agency desk discussing contract copies, repairs, and move-out notice in Japanese.

What are Anna and David mainly discussing?

Portrait of Anna in a Japanese lesson dialogue

Anna

申し込みには、どんな書類が必要ですか。

Mōshikomi ni wa, donna shorui ga hitsuyō desu ka.

What documents are required for the application?

Portrait of David in a Japanese lesson dialogue

David

身分証と給与明細が必要です。

Mibunshō to kyūyo meisai ga hitsuyō desu.

You need ID and pay slips.

Portrait of Anna in a Japanese lesson dialogue

Anna

申し込みに手数料はかかりますか。

Mōshikomi ni tesūryō wa kakarimasu ka.

Is there an application fee?

Portrait of David in a Japanese lesson dialogue

David

いいえ、かかりません。でも家賃のほかに管理費があります。

Iie, kakarimasen. Demo yachin no hoka ni kanrihi ga arimasu.

No, but there is a management fee in addition to rent.

Portrait of Anna in a Japanese lesson dialogue

Anna

サインする前に、契約書のコピーを見せてもらえますか。

Sain suru mae ni, keiyakusho no kopī o misete moraemasu ka.

Can I see a copy of the contract before signing?

Portrait of David in a Japanese lesson dialogue

David

はい、すぐにご用意します。あと、修理が必要なときは、誰が対応しますか。

Hai, sugu ni goyōi shimasu. Ato, shūri ga hitsuyō na toki wa, dare ga taiō shimasu ka.

Yes, we'll prepare it. Also, who handles repairs when needed?

Portrait of Anna in a Japanese lesson dialogue

Anna

管理会社が対応するはずです。

Kanri gaisha ga taiō suru hazu desu.

The management company should handle them.

3. Guided Practice

Quizzes and matching to lock in meaning.

Which phrase asks about required application documents?

Which phrase asks whether you can renew a lease after it ends?

Which sentence asks about extra costs beyond rent?

Which phrase asks whether there is an application fee?

Ask the landlord: 'Can I pay the rent by credit card?'

大家さんに支払い方法を聞く：『家賃は___で払えますか。』

Ask: 'How many days' notice is required when moving out?'

退去の連絡はどうする？『退去するときは、何日前までに___が必要ですか。』

During the viewing ask: 'Has there ever been a problem with the air conditioner?'

内見で尋ねる：『___に問題があったことはありますか。』

Match the core phrases

Match the extra phrases

4. Speaking Practice

Say phrases yourself (mic/recording).

Recording stays on your device only. Check speech uses your browser's speech tools when available.

Say this phrase out loud:

修理が必要なときは、誰が対応しますか。

Shūri ga hitsuyō na toki wa, dare ga taiō shimasu ka.

Who is responsible for repairs?

Say this phrase out loud:

契約が終わったあと、更新できますか。

Keiyaku ga owatta ato, kōshin dekimasu ka.

Can I renew the lease after it ends?

Say this phrase out loud:

申し込みには、どんな書類が必要ですか。

Mōshikomi ni wa, donna shorui ga hitsuyō desu ka.

What documents do I need for the application?

Say this phrase out loud:

申し込みに手数料はかかりますか。

Mōshikomi ni tesūryō wa kakarimasu ka.

Is there an application fee?

Say this phrase out loud:

家賃は___で払えますか。

Yachin wa ___ de haraemasu ka.

Can I pay the rent by ___?

Say this phrase out loud:

家賃のほかに、何か追加の費用はありますか。

Yachin no hoka ni, nanika tsuika no hiyō wa arimasu ka.

Are there any extra fees I should know about?

Say this phrase out loud:

サインする前に、契約書のコピーを見せてもらえますか。

Sain suru mae ni, keiyakusho no kopī o misete moraemasu ka.

Can I see a copy of the lease before I sign?

Say this phrase out loud:

退去するときは、何日前までに連絡が必要ですか。

Taikyo suru toki wa, nan-nichi mae made ni renraku ga hitsuyō desu ka.

What is the notice period for moving out?

Say this phrase out loud:

___に問題があったことはありますか。

___ ni mondai ga atta koto wa arimasu ka.

Has there been any problem with ___?