PROS AND CONS OF LIVING IN A LEOPALACE IN JAPAN!

Today I am writing about the pros and cons of living in a short-term rental apartment called Leopalace and a regular two-year lease apartment. The reason I want to compare and contrast the two is because Leopalace is one of the most prevalent and foreigner friendly short-term accommodations offered in Japan, and therefore, you might find yourself moving into one!

A lot of companies that hire foreigners to teach English in Japan, such as the Assistant Language Teacher placement company Interac, provide housing for their employees. This housing is usually provided by the company Leopalace 21, which is a company with apartment buildings throughout the Japan!

Since so many people from abroad will most likely be placed into these kinds of apartments, let's get straight into the pros and the cons!

Simple Tenant Screening
Those who have tried to rent an apartment in Japan knows how tedious and thorough of a background check Japanese real estate companies put you through. You need to provide pay stubs, proof of Japanese health insurance, Japanese and overseas emergency contacts, a Japanese phone number, bank account, acquire a guarantor/co-signer, and more! That's a lot if you're just coming from overseas. It's going to be a bit difficult for you to prove that you're a low risk tenant. Therefore, Leopalace is perfect because you don't need to go through all of that, especially if you're being placed into an LP by your company.



Minimal Start Up Costs
Moving into a standard apartment in Japan will cost you about 6 month’s rent upfront in fees. Therefore, if your rent is 1,000 USD a month, your upfront costs will be around 6,000$ dollars or more. This might be a lot of money to those just coming from overseas. The start up costs for moving into a Leopalace will run you less than 1,000$ USD because they only charge for changing the locks,.cleaning fee (when you move out), and you can pay for what is called "Life Support", which is a type of insurance and emergency support line.

Less of a Commitment
Many people housed in Leopalaces are brand new to Japan and aren’t even sure if they’ll like the company they are working for or the city they are placed in. Some apartment seekers might also not be residents and only staying in Japan for a few months. Leopalace does not force you into a two year leasing agreement like most apartments in Japan because they have month-to-month leases. This is great because you have the freedom to pick up and go if you need to without paying any penalties.

Pre-Furnished
Since most people who move into Leopalace are new to Japan or looking for temporary housing, it’s inconvenient for them to invest in big appliances, such as refrigerators and washing machines, and sometimes even stove-tops. Leopalace conveniently comes equipped with the most common appliances, like television, internet, washing machine, microwave, refrigerator, table/chairs. While some people argue that with the apartment being furnished, it raises the rent, which might be true in the long run, but it is a small price to pay if you’re only staying in the apartment for a year or less.

English Support
As most people know, things break or don’t work as planned. For example, your internet goes out, a pipe bursts, or you lose your key. It’s very nice to be able to talk with someone who can communicate with you in English. Most Japanese apartment management companies or landlords do not speak English, and it can be even more stressful or frustrating if you have a complex problem or an emergency. Leopalace has an English help line available.

Size
Leopalaces aren't super large but they aren't considered super small as well. They usually include a decent sized bathroom, a built in closet, and even a loft. Most Leopalaces are what you call a 1LDK. This means the L (Living Room) is separated from the DK (Dining room/Kitchen). Currently, I pay about 500$ dollars more for my 1R (One Room), which means my living room is not separated from the kitchen and there is also no closet. I definitely have learned to appreciate the size of Leopalaces, especially because I am living in a crowded urban city.



Safety Concerns
So, this con may trump all pros because over 14,000 Leopalace apartments were found to have defects in their construction. The cooperation has since admitted to their faults and have begun repairing the faulty buildings, but this is definitely something that you should consider reading. I lived in a building that started undergoing repairs, which was really scary! Link to article here

Thin Walls
Personally, I never heard my neighbors, but I also believe there were only three of us in the entire apartment building. Many tenants complain of thin walls and lack of insulation. In my new apartment, I can hear my neighbors, so I'm just thinking it's a Japan thing! Anyhow, be aware that you might hear your neighbors or your neighbors might hear you!

Less Freedom
This may only be applicable if your housing is tied to your company. If you decide to quit your job, you will have to move out of your Leopalace. This might cause tons of inconveniences and stress, so please make sure you make the proper preparations for a sudden departure if anything happens in the future.

Potentially Expensive
Because of the convenience of month-to-month leasing, and the apartment being furnished, you are paying a bit of a premium to have those luxuries, so I'd advise you to move into a regular apartment if you plan on staying for longer than a year to save a bit of money.