Monthly apartments are popular for being so easy to rent. You don't have to physically visit a real estate office to sign your papers. Everything can be done through email or FAX, and moving out is just as simple. If you’re really in a hurry, you can even move in on the day of.

The hassle-free rental process is definitely appealing. But what kind of screening criteria will you need to clear?

■Simple Screening Process

Not screening tenants or having a lenient criterion can be risky for a management company. But monthly apartments have a system that's designed to lessen trouble, even without strict background checks. Those who don’t respect the rules are dealt with in accordance with the law.

◇Why Monthly Apartments Have a Lenient Screening Process

More often than not, monthly apartments will require an upfront lump sum payment of the entire stay. This means management companies don’t have to worry about late or unpaid rent, so money-related issues are less likely to arise.

Some places will advertise accepting everyone and anyone, but most others will have a simple screening process. Details are confidential, but for the most part, submission of a copy of your ID and guarantor information will suffice.

◇Different Laws Apply to Monthly Apartments

Tenants moving into traditional apartments for rent are protected by the Act on Land and Building Leases (Shakuchi Shakka Hou). Once a contract is signed, excepting extreme circumstances, a management company is obliged to keep renewing it. If someone is forced to leave, the management company could have to pay them for compensation.

Monthly apartments are not subject to this law and instead fall under the Fixed-Term Building Lease (Teiki Shakkaken) category. So if there’s a troublemaker who doesn't abide by the rules, they can easily be refused renewal of their contract. This is another reason that initial screenings tend to be lenient.

■Who Doesn’t Qualify?

Most monthly apartments have certain criteria you'll need to clear. In some cases, you could be denied rental.

◇What About Underage and Non-Japanese Tenants?

There are cases where you won't be able to rent a property even if you have a valid ID. One example is if you’re underage. You could certainly have more difficulty signing a contract than an adult would. Many companies require the contractor to be of age, so a parent or guardian will have to sign the papers for you.

If you are underage but earn an income, you may be allowed to rent the apartment yourself. Just let your colleagues know that you're planning a move because your workplace could receive a phone call confirming that you work there.

Non-Japanese tenants won’t have much trouble renting a monthly apartment as long as they can understand the contract, or have a Japanese representative.

◇Is a Guarantor Required?

Some monthly apartments require a guarantor at the time of signing. Corporate contracts often don’t, but someone from the establishment will occasionally be signed as a guarantor. There are also companies that restrict the role to relatives, and finding a guarantor may be difficult for some.

If for any reason you can’t find a guarantor, some places will let you rent a room if you own a valid credit card. As long as you have a VISA, JCB, American Express or another credit card to your name, and can offer an emergency contact, chances are you'll get the apartment.

■In Conclusion

・Monthly apartments have lenient screening because they require an upfront payment.
・A simple screening process does exist and you'll need to provide an ID.

While monthly apartments are known to be easy to rent, most will perform a simple ID check. Your occupation and other factors won’t affect your chances much because payments are made upfront. On the other hand, they do tend to attach importance to an applicant’s character and personality. This is to protect the safety of other tenants and sustain the credibility of the property.

Finding a property that is willing to accept you as a tenant is important, but make sure you decide on an apartment that is reliable and safe. Such homes will usually have a slightly stricter screening process. This is especially important if you plan on living there for a while.