What is a furnished apartment for couples?

A furnished apartment for couples is a type of property that comes equipped with the necessary furniture and appliances for daily life. The costs required when moving in, such as the deposit, key money, and agent fees, are the same as for a regular rental property.

Examples of furnishings and appliances are as follows:

• tv set
• Air conditioning
• bed
• table
• curtain
• washing machine
• refrigerator
• Stove

The furniture and appliances installed vary depending on the property, so be sure to check before moving in.

Basic features of fully furnished apartments

Compared to regular moves, apartments with furniture and appliances are attractive because of their convenience and lower initial costs.
The main features are as follows:

• Furniture and appliances are provided so no need to buy anything
• You can start your life with minimal luggage
• Save on moving costs and preparation time

You will also be charged for disposing of any furniture and home appliances that you no longer need when you move out. Home appliances such as televisions and refrigerators cannot be disposed of as regular bulky waste and must be disposed of in accordance with the Home Appliance Recycling Law.

Recycling fee examples: April 2024 home appliance recycling fee list
https://www.rkc.aeha.or.jp/files/recycle_price_list_2024.pdf

In addition to this, you will have to pay separate transportation and collection fees. For this reason, it can be said that using an apartment with furniture and appliances included reduces the hassle and costs.

Features of fully furnished apartments for couples

A furnished apartment for couples is a property equipped with facilities designed for two people to live together.

Compared to properties for single people who live in one room, there are more 1LDK to 2LDK properties, and it is common for the living room and bedroom to be separate. In addition, they are characterized by facilities that allow couples to live comfortably, such as separate bathrooms and toilets and closets that can store items for two people.

• Living room with sofa
• Ample storage space
• Kitchen with two burners
• Separate bath and toilet
• Separate washbasin

As mentioned above, the facilities are spacious enough for a couple to live in. In addition, the minimum necessary furniture and appliances are provided, so you can move in with minimal initial costs.

The benefits of living in an apartment with furniture and appliances for couples

The benefits of living in a furnished apartment for a couple are as follows:

• Reduce costs
• Less hassle with moving
• A support system that improves quality of life

We will introduce the benefits of each in detail.

Reduce costs

Furniture and appliances are already provided, eliminating the hassle and cost of purchasing them.

According to the "2023 Newlywed Lifestyle Survey (conducted by Recruit Bridal Research Institute)", the average purchase (expense) amount was 244,000 yen for interior and furniture, and 288,000 yen for home appliances.

Reference: 2023 Survey on Newlywed Lifestyle (Recruit Bridal Research Institute)
https://souken.zexy.net/research_news/newlywed.html

This will significantly reduce your initial rental costs.

Less hassle with moving

Furniture and home appliances are provided, so you can start your new life smoothly by just bringing your personal belongings.

In addition, since there is no hassle of disposing of or transporting furniture and appliances when moving, it is also easy to accommodate couples who are transferred for work or who stay for a short period of time.

A support system that improves quality of life

Some fully furnished apartments have a manager on-site who is able to provide comprehensive support for any problems with the facilities.
They can also handle sudden problems such as water leaks, equipment failures, lock problems, etc. Security is also reassuring, as they can check whether people are entering or leaving the building from the outside.

Many properties come equipped with storage space sufficient for two people, such as a storeroom or walk-in closet, as well as a spacious dining room, allowing couples to live comfortably.

Points to consider when choosing a furnished apartment for couples

Couples looking to choose an apartment with furniture and appliances should take the following five points into consideration.

• Check the layout and size
• Content and quality of furniture and appliances
• Surrounding area and access
• What should I be careful of if I live with my spouse?
• What is the average price for a furnished apartment that is recommended for couples?

I will explain each one.

Check the layout and size

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism's "Basic Plan for Housing" stipulates that for a two-person household, "the standard of housing area considered necessary to accommodate diverse lifestyles as a prerequisite for realizing a rich housing life" is 55 m2 in urban areas and 75 m2 in suburban and non-urban areas.
Reference: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Basic Plan for Housing (National Plan)
https://www.mlit.go.jp/common/001392030.pdf

55㎡ is the size of a 1LDK, 2DK, or 2LDK apartment. It's a good idea to use this as a reference when deciding on a room, taking into account the lifestyles of the couple.

Check the contents and quality of furniture and home appliances

Before moving in, be sure to check the type and condition of the furniture and appliances.

It is rare for new items to be provided, so you will have to use cleaned second-hand items. If the items are old or badly worn, ask the management company if they can be replaced. Also, taking photos or other records when you move in will help avoid any problems when you move out.

Surrounding area and access

The convenience of the surrounding environment is important for living a comfortable life.

Check the access time to major stations and bus stops, the surrounding traffic conditions, and the time it will take to commute to work. It's a good idea to check how easy it is to live there, such as whether there are hospitals, government offices, supermarkets, and other facilities nearby. It's convenient if the facilities you need for daily life are within cycling or walking distance, if possible.

What should I be careful of if I live with my spouse?

When signing a rental contract as a married couple, there are different contract conditions and rules than when renting alone.

• One spouse becomes the contract holder and the other spouse is registered as a cohabitant.
• Emergency contacts and guarantors must be third parties, not just your spouse.
• The deposit and key money may be higher than for single apartments.
• Check if the property is suitable for two people

When moving in, couples should check the property together to ensure there are no problems.

What is the average price for a furnished apartment recommended for couples?

Because furnished apartments come equipped with all the necessary furniture and appliances for daily life, the rent is set 20 to 30 percent higher than that of a regular rental property.

Although it will vary depending on the area and conditions, the average rent for an apartment with a 1LDK to 2LDK floor plan is as follows:

• Tokyo area: 120,000 to 150,000 yen
• Osaka Prefecture area 90,000 to 100,000 yen
• Aichi Prefecture area 70,000 to 80,000 yen
• Fukuoka/Hokkaido area: 60,000 to 75,000 yen

Reference: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism: The current state of the rental housing market https://www.mlit.go.jp/common/001011169.pdf

The average cost of starting a new home for two people, including purchasing furniture and appliances, is said to be around 1 million yen. Considering that the cost of purchasing furniture and appliances is around 400,000 to 500,000 yen, this will be a significant savings.

Summary: Enjoy a smooth new life in an apartment equipped with furniture and appliances that suit the couple's lifestyle!

Furnished apartments allow couples to start their new life with minimal initial costs. However, depending on the contract, you may have to pay for repairs if the furniture or appliances are broken. It's a good idea to carefully check the contract when moving in and choose one that suits your life's work. We hope this article will be helpful for couples starting their new life together.