Moving (Vacating) Procedures

Moving notice

When moving out, notify the landlord or real estate agent within the period specified in the rental agreement (usually 30 days in advance) that you will be terminating the rental agreement (termination notice).

Turning off electricity, gas and water

At least 1 week before moving out, notify the electric power company, gas company, and section in charge of waterworks at your local government office to have the services turned off.
Staff from the electric power company, gas company, and section in charge of waterworks at your local government office will come to the housing on the move-out day to have you complete the turn-off procedures. You will be charged for the service provided up to that day.

Telephone and internet procedures

For fixed telephone lines, contact the telephone company and complete the moving procedures.
For the Internet, notify the contracting provider of your change of address, etc.

Postal matter procedures

Go to the post office and complete procedures for having your mail forwarded. If you do this, mail going to your former address will be sent to the new address for a set period of time (within Japan, etc).

Requesting to have large garbage items picked up

To dispose of large garbage items, such as furniture, or large quantities of garbage, contact the local government office or waste collection office ahead of time and make arrangements to have the material disposed of.
When the collection date will be after the move-out, consult the landlord or property manager about what to do.

Removing belongings

Finish your move-out during the daytime. Moving out at night will disturb your neighbors, so do not do it.
Remove all of your belongings from the housing and clean it well. Do not leave any garbage behind.

Returning the key and vacating the premises

Return the key when vacating the premises.
Original condition restoration means repairing areas of the housing you have broken or damaged before vacating the housing. The real estate agent or landlord will accompany you for an inspection of the housing to compare the condition of the housing and the furnishings and equipment with that at the time of move-in to check how much original condition restoration, etc., is required.

Security deposit settlement

In principle, the security deposit will be returned after vacating the housing. However, if there are expenses for original condition restoration or to dispose of belongings left on the housing, etc., such expenses will be subtracted from the security deposit. If the cost of original condition restoration exceeds that amount of the security deposit, you must pay the difference.