What is a share house?

A share house is a rental property where multiple people live in one building and share common spaces (living room, kitchen, bathroom, etc.) but each person has their own bedroom.

It is popular among young people and singles because it ensures privacy while keeping initial costs low.

One of the attractions of living in a shared house is that you can meet a variety of people and have new exchanges and learn new things.

The management company is responsible for recruiting tenants, managing the property, and maintaining the building. There are also properties for women only and properties for men only.

The difference between room sharing and share house

Room sharing is a type of living arrangement in which friends or couples live together in an apartment or condominium, but only if the owner allows it.

Room sharing generally involves 2-5 people sharing one room in an apartment or condominium. On the other hand, there are a variety of shared houses available, from small ones with 3-5 people to large ones with over 100 people.

One of the attractions of both room sharing and share houses is that the initial costs are lower than living alone. Room sharing costs about 250,000 to 400,000 yen, while a share house costs around 100,000 yen including the first month's rent, which is significantly lower.

If a problem occurs when sharing a room, the people involved will need to discuss and resolve it between themselves. On the other hand, a shared house is run by a specialized management company, and if a problem does occur, the management company may alert you instead, so you can feel at ease.

Four reasons why we recommend living together in a share house

There are many benefits to living together in a shared house. Next, we will introduce four reasons why a shared house is recommended for couples.

Reason 1: Ample shared spaces and facilities

Share houses are generally equipped with furniture and home appliances, so when you start living together as a couple, you don't need to buy all the daily necessities from scratch.

Also, if for some reason you decide to end your living together, you won't have to worry about disposing of the furniture and appliances you purchased together, or running into trouble over who will take them.

Examples of furniture, home appliances, and daily necessities provided in a share house are listed below.

Examples of furniture and appliances in a share house

• washing machine
• refrigerator
• Air conditioning
• bed
• Table, chairs, desk (for private rooms)
• Range, kettle, rice cooker
• Hairdryer

Examples of everyday items in a share house

• Soaps and detergents
• toilet paper
• Cooking utensils such as pots and pans
• Garbage bag
• Cleaning products

For details about the furniture, appliances, and fixtures provided in the property, you can either ask directly when viewing the share house or inquire with the management company in advance.

Reason 2: Costs can be kept low

Another benefit of living in a shared house is that in addition to the initial costs when moving in, you can keep your monthly rent and living expenses low.

Share houses do not require any fees such as security deposits, key money, brokerage fees, or guarantor company fees, which are required for regular rental properties such as apartments and condominiums.

As mentioned above, furniture and home appliances are already provided, so there is no need to incur initial costs or purchase daily necessities when you start living together as a couple.

In addition, the rent for a shared house is often cheaper than the average rent for a regular rental property, and utility bills such as water, gas, and internet connection fees are included in the common area fees.

This means that your monthly living expenses will be lower than if you were to live in a regular rental property.

Reason 3: It’s easy to find properties

There are few regular rental properties that rent out rooms for room sharing, so finding an apartment can be difficult. In addition, there are restrictions on the layout of the room, so the hurdles for starting to live together as a couple are surprisingly high.

However, if you can find a share house that suits your needs, all you have to do is check for vacancies and complete the necessary procedures to move in, and you can start living together as a couple.

Reason 4: Less risk of trouble

There are many challenges to overcome when ending your relationship with your partner, but living in a shared house can significantly reduce risks such as coordinating the timing of your move.

When sharing a room, if one person falls behind on their rent, the other person will have to bear a larger burden, and if one person suddenly moves out, the person left behind will have to go through the paperwork, so the burden on one person will be greater.

Also, when sharing a room, arguments can easily lead to a tense atmosphere, but in a shared house there is a third party nearby so you can talk calmly, reducing the risk of trouble.

Tips for living together happily and things to be aware of when living in a shared house

Before starting your new life together, be sure to learn some tips for living together.

In order to make living together as a couple go smoothly, it is important to set rules and hold regular meetings to discuss them.

If you do not decide on rules in advance, it can lead to problems such as "who will do the housework" or "how to pay for food each month."

Having clear rules in place can help prevent these kinds of problems from occurring.

Unlike room sharing, there are other residents living in a share house. Actively communicating with the other residents will also be a key to making your couple life a success.

Learn the tips to enjoy living together in a shared house

In this article, we have explained why we recommend living together in a shared house and some points to keep in mind.

Living together in a shared house has the advantage of keeping costs down and not needing to buy furniture or home appliances. To ensure a comfortable life together, you should establish rules for your life and be careful not to cause any inconvenience to other residents.

Cross House operates a number of reasonably priced shared houses, mainly in the Tokyo metropolitan area. If you are considering living together as a couple, please feel free to contact us.