Basic definitions of share houses and room shares
Before we look at the differences between share houses and room shares, let's first understand the basic definitions of each. Even though they are both "communal living" styles, there are big differences in the way they are managed, the living environment, and the rules of living. Understanding the characteristics of each will make it easier to choose a home that suits you.
What is a share house?
A share house is a type of housing where multiple tenants live in one building, each with their own private room, but share common spaces such as the living room, kitchen, bathroom, and toilet. In most cases, they are run by a management company, and many of the properties come with furniture and appliances, making it easy to keep initial costs down. In addition, the common spaces are well-cleaned and the facilities are well-maintained, providing a comfortable environment. Furthermore, it is easy for tenants to interact with each other, making this a suitable residence for people who value community.
What is room sharing?
Room sharing is a style of living where multiple people sign a contract for one rental property and live together while sharing rent and utility costs. It is generally done between acquaintances such as friends, colleagues, or siblings, but recently there has been an increase in cases where people use social media to find roommates. Since there is no management company involved, residents must make contracts, decide on rules, clean, and manage the rent themselves. While it has the advantage of keeping costs down, caution is required as it can lead to trouble if residents do not get along well and do not agree on rules smoothly.
The main differences between share houses and room shares
Although shared houses and room shares are both housing arrangements where multiple people live together, there are significant differences in the structure of the residence, management system, and daily lifestyle. Let's take a closer look at the characteristics of each.
| Share House | Room Share | |
| Residence type | Managed by a management company, it has private rooms and shared spaces. The shared facilities are extensive. | Multiple people rent a regular rental property. There may not be private rooms available. |
| Management Mechanism | The management company is in charge of recruiting tenants and cleaning, so there is little burden on residents. | Residents will enter into a contract and manage the property together. Cleaning and rent management are also their own responsibility. |
| Lifestyle | Residents can easily interact with each other and events are held. You can live with a comfortable distance between each other. | Residents tend to become closer to each other, which can lead to stress. |
| Contracts and guarantees | Since it is an individual contract, you can move in and out without being affected by other residents. | A joint contract or a contract by a representative. The procedures for moving out can be complicated. |
| Cost burden | No deposit or key money is required, so initial costs are kept to a minimum. Utility fees are included in the common area fee. | You will need to pay a deposit, key money, brokerage fee, and the cost of purchasing furniture and appliances. |
| privacy | There are private rooms available, making it easy to ensure privacy. | In some cases, there are no private rooms available, making it difficult to ensure privacy. |
Differences in housing types
<Share House>
A share house is a type of housing where multiple tenants individually sign contracts to use part of a house or apartment managed by a management company or owner, and use separate rooms and common spaces. The entire building is designed and renovated with the premise of "sharing," and in many cases there are ample common spaces. Large share houses may also have living rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, theater rooms, and workspaces.
<Room sharing>
On the other hand, room sharing is a style of living where multiple people rent a regular rental property and live together. In many cases, people share a room with a family-friendly 2DK, 2LDK, or 3LDK layout, and the layout of the room is no different from that of a regular rental property. Depending on the layout, you may not be able to have a private room, making it difficult to ensure privacy. Also, since the number of toilets and bathrooms is limited, there may be a fight over them in the morning, etc.
Differences in management systems
<Share House>
Share houses are managed by management companies or owners, who recruit tenants, complete contract procedures, manage facilities, clean, and perform other maintenance. In many cases, the management company handles cleaning of common areas (living room, kitchen, bathroom, etc.) and maintenance of facilities, reducing the burden on tenants. In addition, even if a tenant moves out, the management company will recruit a new tenant, so there is no need for any formalities between tenants.
<Room sharing>
In room sharing, the tenants basically manage the property together. The property contract is either a joint contract or a representative signs the contract and shares the costs with the other residents. The residents must discuss and decide on the payment of rent and utility bills, the division of cleaning duties, and the management of the common spaces. Therefore, if the rules are not clearly defined at the time of signing the contract, it may lead to trouble later on. Another disadvantage is that if a roommate moves out, the resident is responsible for finding a new tenant.
Differences in lifestyle
<Share House>
Share houses are characterized by the environment that makes it easy for residents to interact with each other. The management company sometimes holds events, which has the advantage of making it easy to meet new people and form communities. In addition, since private rooms are provided, residents can value their own time while also interacting with other residents as needed. In particular, it is an ideal living environment for those who seek "interaction at a reasonable distance" that cannot be experienced when living alone.
Another attractive feature of a share house is how you utilize the shared spaces. How you enjoy the shared spaces, such as the living room, kitchen, and lounge, can make a big difference in how fulfilling your life is. For more information on how to use and enjoy the shared spaces in a share house, please refer to the article "How to use and enjoy the shared spaces in a share house."
<Room sharing>
Room sharing is basically living with people who know each other, so the distance between people tends to be close. There are properties where you can secure a private room, but if you share a living room or bedroom, it can be difficult to maintain privacy. In addition, residents must manage their finances carefully, as they share the cost of utilities and household goods. Different lifestyles can easily cause stress and may worsen relationships with roommates. For this reason, it is important to clearly decide on the rules of living in advance.
Differences between contracts and guarantees
<Share House>
In a share house, the management company or owner manages the contracts, so each tenant signs an individual contract. This has the advantage that you can easily move in and out at your own convenience without being affected by your roommate's schedule.
<Room sharing>
Room sharing is treated the same as a regular rental contract, so all tenants will sign the contract together, or a representative will sign the contract. If all tenants sign the contract, you may need to change the contract when someone moves out. Also, if a representative signs the contract, there is a risk that the representative will be held responsible if other residents fail to pay their rent.
Differences in cost burden
<Share House>
Many share houses do not require a deposit or key money, which is an advantage as it keeps initial costs down. In addition, furniture and appliances are often provided, so there is little preparation required when moving in. Common area fees often include utility fees and internet fees, making monthly payments simple.
<Room sharing>
Room sharing is similar to renting a regular property, so you will often have to pay a deposit, key money, agency fees, and the cost of purchasing furniture and appliances. Utility bills and internet fees also need to be contracted and paid individually, and they vary depending on the number of people, so management can be complicated.
Privacy differences
<Share House>
In a share house, you are guaranteed a private room, so you can live together while maintaining your privacy. Although there are shared spaces, each person's room is separate, so it is easy to have your own time.
<Room sharing>
When sharing a room, depending on the layout, it may not be possible to secure a private room. In particular, if you are sharing a one-room apartment or one-bedroom apartment, the bedroom will also be shared, making it difficult to maintain privacy.
Cost comparison: the cost of living in a shared house vs. sharing a room
There are differences between shared houses and room sharing in terms of how housing costs are paid and how they are managed. In particular, by understanding the initial costs, monthly payments, and other living expenses, it will be easier to decide which type of housing is right for you. Below, we will explain the differences in costs in detail.
| item | Share House | Room Share |
| Initial cost | Approximately 100,000 yen | About 400,000 to 600,000 yen |
| Monthly costs | 60,000 to 90,000 yen | 60,000-80,000 yen (depending on the number of people) |
| Utility expenses and common area expenses | Included in common area fee | Separate payment required |
| Furniture and appliances | Equipped | Purchase required |
| Daily necessities expenses | Often included in the maintenance fee | Share among residents or purchase individually |
A major advantage of share houses is that the initial costs are relatively low. Many properties do not require a deposit or key money, and furniture and appliances are provided, reducing the burden of moving.
For information on the average and breakdown of specific initial costs for a shared house, please see the article "How much are the initial costs for a shared house? An explanation with breakdown and average prices" , so it's a good idea to check this out in advance.
Initial cost
<Initial costs for a shared house>
Share houses are managed by management companies, so the initial costs are often lower than for regular rental properties. In particular, there are many properties that do not require a deposit or key money, making it easier to move.
Breakdown of general initial costs for a share house
- Deposit (10,000-30,000 yen) *Part of it is usually refunded when you move out
- First month's rent (50,000-70,000 yen)
- Common area fee (10,000-20,000 yen) *Includes utilities and cleaning fees
- Administrative fees and brokerage fees (10,000 to 20,000 yen)
In most cases, you can move in for around 100,000 yen in total, and the appeal is that no deposit or key money is required. In addition, many properties come equipped with furniture and appliances, which helps reduce purchasing costs when moving.
<Initial costs for room sharing>
Room sharing involves renting a regular rental property, so initial costs are the same as for a regular rental contract. Because of costs such as a deposit, key money, and agency fees, the initial costs tend to be higher than for a shared house.
Breakdown of typical initial costs for room sharing
- Deposit and key money (1-2 months' rent each) *Varies depending on the property
- Brokerage fee (1 month's rent)
- Advance rent (1 month)
- Guarantor company fee (50-100% of rent) *Required for properties that do not require a guarantor
- Purchase cost of furniture and appliances (approximately 100,000 to 200,000 yen) *Furniture and appliances are not provided and must be purchased
In total, it will generally cost around 400,000 to 600,000 yen, which is more expensive than a shared house. In particular, you will have to pay for furniture and appliances, so the initial costs will be heavy.
Monthly costs
<Monthly costs for a shared house>
The main monthly payments for a share house are rent and maintenance fees. Maintenance fees include utilities such as water, electricity, and gas, internet fees, and cleaning fees for the common areas, making the payments simple.
Example of monthly payment for a shared house
- Rent (50,000 to 70,000 yen)
- Common area fee (10,000-20,000 yen)
The total cost will be around 60,000 to 90,000 yen, which is often cheaper than living alone. Another benefit is that it is easier to manage your budget because utility fees and internet charges are included in the common area fee.
<Monthly room sharing costs>
The cost of room sharing will vary depending on the layout of the property and the number of residents, but basically, rent, utility bills, and internet fees will be shared between residents.
Example of monthly payment for room sharing (2 people sharing a room)
- Rent (2LDK: 120,000 yen → 60,000 yen per person)
- Common area fee (approximately 5-10% of rent)
- Utility costs (electricity, gas, water) (10,000 yen → 5,000 yen per person)
- Internet fee (5,000 yen → 2,500 yen per person)
The total cost will be around 60,000 to 80,000 yen, which is about the same as the cost of a shared house. However, the amount varies depending on the number of residents, so budgeting is necessary.
Other living expenses
<Living expenses in a share house>
In a shared house, cleaning of common areas and replenishment of consumables are often taken care of by a management company, so individuals may be able to lower their living expenses.
- Daily necessities such as toilet paper, detergent, garbage bags, etc. - Often included in the common area fee
- Purchasing costs for furniture and appliances → Generally not required (installed)
- Food and entertainment expenses → Residents can purchase these together
As a result, additional living expenses are limited to personal items (such as shampoo and detergent), making it easy to keep overall costs low.
<Living expenses for room sharing>
When sharing a room, residents will need to decide whether to split the cost of daily necessities between each other or purchase them individually.
- Daily necessities such as toilet paper, detergent, garbage bags, etc. → Residents share the cost (1,000 to 2,000 yen per person per month)
- Purchasing furniture and appliances → A large initial outlay is required (100,000 to 200,000 yen)
- Food and entertainment expenses: Residents may purchase food jointly, but generally manage them individually
When sharing a room, the initial costs tend to be high due to the high cost of purchasing furniture and appliances at the start, but it can be cheaper if you plan to live there long-term.
Which is right for you? Tips for choosing between a share house and a room share
Both share houses and room sharing are popular ways of living together while keeping rent and living expenses down. However, each has different characteristics, advantages and disadvantages, so it is important to choose one that suits your lifestyle and values. Finally, we will explain the differences between share houses and room sharing and how to decide which one is best for you.
Who is a share house suitable for?
Share houses are recommended for people who want to enjoy moderate interactions while also having some private space. Because there are private rooms, you can treasure your own time while also enjoying interactions with other residents in shared spaces such as the living room and kitchen.
<Benefits of living in a share house>
- Moderate interaction: You can build natural relationships with other residents, but you can also have time alone in your private room.
- Low initial costs: Many properties do not require a deposit or key money, and you can move in for around 100,000 yen.
- Easy to manage living expenses: Common area fees may include utilities and internet charges, making monthly payments simple.
- Easy to manage: Cleaning and facility management are handled by the management company, so there is little burden on residents.
- Also suitable for short-term stays: Flexible contracts make it convenient for people who change jobs or move frequently.
＜Recommended for these people!＞
- I want to live while interacting with other residents in moderation.
- I want to move easily and keep initial costs down.
- I want to simplify the payment of rent and utility bills.
- Want to reduce the hassle of managing and cleaning your property?
- I am planning a short stay
Shared houses are the perfect housing option for those who want to live comfortably in a community with little maintenance and low costs.
Who is suitable for room sharing?
Room sharing is suitable for people who want to live together with trusted friends or acquaintances under flexible rules. By sharing rent and utility bills with other residents, you can live in a larger property at a lower cost than if you were living alone.
<Benefits of room sharing>
- You can save on rent: By renting a large property with multiple people, you can reduce the rent per person.
- High degree of freedom: Residents can decide the rules together, allowing them to live according to their lifestyle.
- Living with people you can trust: Living with friends and family gives you a sense of security.
- It is easier to secure a large space: It is easier to secure a spacious living room and kitchen than in a shared house.
＜Recommended for these people!＞
- I want to live with close friends and family
- I want to live in a spacious property while keeping my rent and utility costs down.
- We want to make our own rules and live freely
- Residents want to share household chores and living expenses with each other
- Planning to live with the same people for a long period of time
Room sharing is suitable for people who want to enjoy life with like-minded friends and those who want to rent a spacious room at a low cost. However, you need to be careful because if you do not clearly define the living rules, you can easily get into trouble.
summary
Both shared houses and room sharing are ways to live together while keeping rent and living expenses down, but there are big differences between them in terms of housing type, management system, and privacy.
Share houses are managed by a management company, so there is little hassle with contracts and facility management, and the environment is easy for residents to interact with each other. They are ideal for people who want to keep initial costs down and who want moderate communication.
The appeal of room sharing is that you can sign a rental contract with someone you can trust and live with freedom of rules. However, residents must manage rent and utility bills, share cleaning duties, and so on, and if the rules are not made clear, it can cause trouble.
Consider which option is best for you, choose a home that matches your lifestyle and values, and enjoy a comfortable communal life.
