Monthly apartments are different from traditional rooms for rent in several ways. For example, they’re fully furnished and have contrasting contract periods. It's important to know these differences and what to be careful of.

The usual etiquette applies, such as being considerate of your neighbors. But what else is there? Let’s take a look.

■Tenants are Liable for Damage of Furniture and Appliances

It’s natural for furniture and appliances to become worn down over time when you’ve been living in the same apartment for a while. When renting a monthly apartment, the facilities, furniture, and appliances are all property of the owner. If anything is out of order, you can contact the management office to have it repaired or replaced.

But if something requires replacement or extra repair costs because of any new damage, the tenant will have to pay up. You're also liable for intentional or negligent damage, defacement, and other issues such as clogging.

・Discoloration from tobacco stains, graffiti

・Clogging due to washing objects down the drain

・Clogging due to accumulation of hair, soap scum, etc.

・Intentional or negligent damage to facilities

You could be let off if a matter wasn't your fault, but it can often be difficult to prove your point. Try to take care of the furniture and appliances provided so you won’t have to pay any extra fees.

■Be Mindful of Noise and Waste Regulations

Noise and waste management are common causes of trouble with neighbors. It’s not unusual for irresponsible tenants to find themselves in difficult situations.

It's not just partying neighbors that can become an annoyance. Remember that even regular household noises can cause conflicts between tenants. When moving in, be sure to check how much you can hear from other rooms. If the walls are so thin that you can easily tell what’s going on next door, blasting loud music or watching TV with the volume on max might not be the best idea.

You should also make sure you’re following the local rules for trash collection. Even if your apartment building has a designated garbage space, you still need to conform to local regulations. Some regions won’t collect your waste if it’s not sorted correctly, so knowing what goes where is a must.

■Clean Up and Replenish Your Consumables Yourself

If you’ve made a mess in the room during your stay, it's not going to magically disappear. Apartments offering housekeeping services are rare. Clean up after yourself to maintain a sanitary environment.

Depending on the property, consumables like toilet paper, detergent, shampoo, and conditioner may be provided when moving in. But it’s your job to replenish anything you need after you’ve used up the initial supply. These amenities are provided one time only.

■Cancellation Fees Apply

Let’s say you’ve signed a contract to rent a monthly apartment but need to cancel for some reason. Cancellations are accepted, but a fee may apply.

For example, atinn requires a payment of 10,000 yen if canceled at least 7 days before moving in and 20,000 yen if canceled 1 to 6 days before. Cancellation on the move-in day will incur a fee of two weeks worth of rent.

Charges increase as the move-in date draws closer. Cancel as soon as possible to avoid higher fees.

■In Conclusion

・Furniture and appliances will be repaired if necessary.

・Tenants are liable for unrepairable damage and replacements.

・Be mindful of noise.

・Follow the local rules for garbage collection.

・Clean up and replenish consumables yourself.

・Cancellation fees apply after contracts are signed.

Facilities and amenities provided by a monthly apartment are the property of the owner. You may be liable for compensation if anything is damaged. It depends on whether the incident was intentional or due to negligence.

Not much is different from living in a regular room for rent once you’ve moved in. You should still be considerate of your neighbors, you’ll need to clean up after yourself, and buying any daily goods you need is your own duty. Keep these points in mind when renting a monthly apartment.