When you sign a contract to rent an apartment in Japan, you will be given the house keys that will allow you to enter the apartment and start your tenant life.

But did you know that are certain rules you must follow regarding house keys? Breaking these rules may end up costing you money, so it is important to understand and remember the rules.

In this article, we explain some general rules regarding the handling of house keys for rental apartments in Japan.

When receiving the key

After receiving the keys for your apartment, make sure to count the number of keys and identify what each key is for. In most cases, there will be just one or two keys, e.g. one for the building’s autolock entrance and one for your unit’s front door. Depending on the property, you may also get up to five or six keys.

During your tenancy – rule 1

Do not lose or damage any of the house keys you receive. In case you lose or damage a key, contact the landlord or management company immediately. You may have to bear the cost of replacing the keys and the locks, which can be quite expensive depending on the type and number of locks.

During your tenancy – rule 2

Though it is easy to make duplicate keys in hardware stores, you should not make duplicates of your house keys without permission. If you need a spare key, consult with the landlord or the management company.

When moving out

Return all of the keys you received to the landlord or management company on your day of moving out. In case you received a spare key or made a duplicate with permission, return all of them as well.

Summary

In this article, we explained about the rules regarding the handling of house keys for rental apartments in Japan. The rules basically come down to three things: do not lose or damage, do not make duplicates without permission, and return everything. It is important to understand and remember these rules to avoid unnecessary fees and procedures.