Procurement for an Apartment - Apartment Amenities - Rent - Utilities
In Sendai, the deposit for renting an apartment is very expensive, averaging US$3,000 dollars just to move in. We realize this expense is quite difficult for ALTs to bear, especially when you first arrive; so the city of Sendai has acquired apartments for you. All you have to do is move in! The ALT Advisor tries to inspect all the apartments before they are chosen to ensure that an ALT’s basic needs are met. Although most apartments are small by western standards, we have done everything possible to find a suitable and comfortable place for you to live. Changing apartments is very complicated and expensive; so we hope to avoid it, if at all possible.
The following items will be loaned to you by the city: Futon (Japanese bed), kotatsu (heated table), washing machine, refrigerator, cooking range, room heater, fan, curtains, sheets, blanket, vacuum, rice-cooker, toaster oven, iron and ironing board. At the end of your time with us we expect to have all items, except the futon and bedding, returned to us in good working condition. They will be used by the person who replaces you. Extra items or furniture can be purchased from ALTs who are leaving Japan. For-sale items are included in this packet.
The average apartment rental fee is between ¥50, 000 and ¥65,000 a month. However, because all ALTs are given a ¥40,000 rent subsidy, you can expect to pay between ¥10,000 to ¥25,000 for your portion of the rent. You will not actually receive the subsidized amount. It is paid directly to the landlord.
All utilities are your responsibility. There is no subsidy to cover these expenses. Most of your bills can be directly debited from your bank account. Please talk with your supervisor about setting it up with a local bank. The following table provides some expenditures you can expect.
|
Average
Monthly Bills for:
|
Summer
|
Winter
|
| Gas |
¥3,000
|
¥4,000-6,000
|
| Electricity |
¥2,000-3,000
|
¥3,000-5,000
|
| Water (2 months) |
¥3,500
|
¥3,500
|
| Room Heater – Kerosene |
-
|
¥2,000-4,000
|
| Phone (NTT Domestic) |
¥6,000
(Avg)
|
¥6,000
(Avg)
|
| Phone (KDD International) |
Up
to you!
|
Up
to you!
|
Note: In Japan, you must BUY the RIGHT to have a telephone. It costs around ¥75,000 just to get “hooked up”!! You can buy the rights for a telephone line and telephone from an ALT who will be leaving Japan for approximately ¥60,000. Information on telephone lines for sale are on the for-sale sheets included. Americans & Canadian phones will work in Japan, so if you’d like, you can bring your own. However, you still have to pay for the line. Mobile/cell phones are also extremely popular here. Most young people in Japan could not exist without one! You can check out deals on these when you arrive here.