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UR Housing Navigator

UR賃貸住宅ガイド

🏠 Save ¥200,000-¥500,000 with UR public housing!

No key money, no agent fee, no guarantor needed. Foreigner-friendly!

✨ Why UR Housing is GREAT for Foreigners

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No key money (礼金なし)

Save ¥50,000-¥200,000

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No agent fee (仲介手数料なし)

Save 1 month rent

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No guarantor needed

No need for Japanese guarantor

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No renewal fee (更新料なし)

Save ¥50,000+ every 2 years

✅

Foreigner-friendly

No discrimination

✅

Fixed rent

Rent doesn't increase

Find UR Housing

Requirements for Foreigners

Income

Monthly rent × 4 = minimum monthly income (or savings proof)

Residence Card

Valid status of residence

Bank Account

Japanese bank account for auto-payment

No Guarantor

UR does NOT require a guarantor!

📋 How to Apply for UR Housing

1

Search online

Browse ur-net.go.jp for available units

2

Visit UR office

Go to nearest UR営業センター with documents

3

View the room

They'll show you available units

4

Apply & pay deposit

Usually 1-2 months rent as deposit

5

Move in!

Get keys and start your new life

💡 Yamada Hack: UR Tips

  • • Check online daily - good units go fast!
  • • Visit in person - more units shown at office than online
  • • Older buildings = cheaper - but well-maintained
  • • No negotiation - UR prices are fixed (fair for everyone)
  • • Bring translator - if your Japanese is limited
  • • Apply for multiple - you can apply for several units

❓ FAQ

❓ Can foreigners really rent UR housing?

✅ Yes! UR is one of the most foreigner-friendly housing options in Japan. No guarantor needed, no discrimination.

❓ What's the income requirement?

✅ Monthly rent × 4 = minimum monthly income. Example: ¥80,000 rent needs ¥320,000/month income. Or you can show savings.

❓ Is UR cheaper than regular apartments?

✅ Initial costs are MUCH cheaper (no key money, no agent fee). Monthly rent is similar to market rate, but no renewal fees.

❓ How long is the wait?

✅ Popular areas can have waiting lists. Less popular areas often have immediate availability.

❓ Can I have pets?

✅ Most UR buildings don't allow pets, but some newer ones do. Check the specific property.

Important Notes

  • • Prices and availability change frequently
  • • Always check official UR website for current listings
  • • Some areas have long waiting lists
  • • UR offices may have limited English support

Related Tools

Moving Calculator →Rent Negotiator →Utility Comparison →

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, one of the most foreigner-friendly features of UR Housing (Urban Renaissance Agency apartments) is that no guarantor (hoshounin) is required whatsoever. You also do not pay key money (reikin) or agent fees, which are standard costs in private rentals that can add up to several months' rent upfront. To qualify for UR Housing you need to demonstrate that your monthly income is at least 4 times the monthly rent, verified with your residence card and income documents.
Visit a UR Housing management office (UR no madoguchi) in person, browse available unit listings on the UR website in advance, select units you are interested in, and submit income verification documents along with your residence card at the office. If your income qualifies, UR typically approves applications quickly — sometimes the same day. Upon approval, you pay a deposit of 2 months' rent and can move in on the agreed date without needing an agent, guarantor, or key money.
The standard initial payment for UR Housing is a refundable security deposit equal to 2 months' rent, with no additional key money, no gift money (reikin), no renewal fees (koshinryo), and no agent commission. Some UR properties run promotional campaigns offering reduced deposits of 1 month or occasionally zero deposit for units that have been vacant for an extended period. This makes UR Housing move-in costs dramatically lower than typical private rental apartments in Japan.
UR Housing eliminates three major upfront costs standard in private rentals: key money (typically 1-2 months' rent, non-refundable), agent fee (1 month's rent), and guarantor costs or company guarantee fees (0.5-1 month's rent annually). The tradeoff is that UR properties are often older buildings in suburban or urban-fringe locations with less variety than the private market, and availability in central city locations is limited. For foreigners struggling with the guarantor requirement, UR Housing is often the most practical path to renting in Japan.
UR Housing operates an official English-language website at ur-net.go.jp that lists available properties with basic information, application procedures in English, and contact details for UR offices with English-speaking staff capacity. The English interface covers major metropolitan areas including Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, and Fukuoka. For detailed inquiries, UR's customer center can connect you with staff who speak some English, and this UR housing tool provides translated guidance on the application and eligibility process.

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