Can I live in a share house even if I'm unemployed?
Compared to regular rental properties, share houses often have more flexible tenant screening procedures, so even unemployed people may be able to live there. However, not all share houses accept unemployed people, and each property has different screening criteria. In particular, there are several characteristics of share houses that make them easy to live in even if you have no income, so it is important to understand these before choosing a property.
Features of share houses that are suitable for unemployed people
Share houses, which are relatively easy for unemployed people to live in, have the following characteristics:
1. No strict requirements for proof of income
For general rental properties, you will need to prove a stable income, but many share houses emphasize "savings amount" and "future income prospects" rather than whether or not you have an income. For example, if you can prove that you are "looking for a job," "planning to work as a freelancer in the future," or "having a side job," you will have a higher chance of passing the screening.
2. There are cases where screening of guarantors and guarantee companies is not required
While a guarantor is required for normal rental properties, there are many share houses that do not require a guarantor. There are also properties that can be rented without using a guarantor company, so there are more options for people who cannot find a guarantor.
3. Low rent and reduced initial costs
For the unemployed, the burden of rent and initial costs is a big issue. There are many share houses where you can live with rent in the 30,000 to 40,000 yen range, and many properties that do not require a deposit or key money. Furthermore, if the property comes with furniture and appliances, the cost of moving is also reduced, so the financial burden is reduced.
4. Tenant attributes are diverse, and screening is flexible
People from a variety of backgrounds live in share houses, including freelancers, students, foreigners, people looking for a new job, etc. Therefore, the environment is relatively welcoming for people with unstable jobs or incomes.
5. Communication skills are valued
In a share house, the important thing is whether or not you can live together smoothly. Therefore, during the interview, you will be checked on points such as "Can you build a good relationship with the other residents?" and "Can you follow the rules of communal living?". Sometimes, being cheerful and polite can have a bigger impact on passing the screening than whether or not you have an income.
Differences in screening criteria between share houses and regular rental properties
The screening criteria for share houses and regular rental properties are very different. Regular rental properties emphasize "stable income" and "trustworthiness," while share houses tend to emphasize "suitability for communal living." Below, we will compare the screening criteria for each property and explain in detail what you should pay attention to in order to pass the screening for a share house.
| General rental | Share House | |
| Proof of income | Required | Often unnecessary |
| Guarantor | Required | There are many unnecessary properties |
| Personality Examination | none | Yes (interviews, etc.) |
| Initial cost | High cost (4-6 months rent) | Cheap (1-2 months rent) |
| Move-in speed | 1 to 2 weeks | Immediate occupancy possible |
| Contract Period | At least 1 year | Available on a monthly basis |
1) Evaluation criteria for stability of income
General rental: Stable income is the most important thing
For general rental properties, the standard is often "a monthly income of about three times the rent," and proof of place of employment and annual income is required. Furthermore, people with stable employment status, such as full-time employees or civil servants, are more likely to pass the screening.
<Required documents>
- Withholding tax slip
- Pay slip
- Resident card
- Guarantor information
If you have a low income or are unemployed, it is common that you will not pass the guarantor company's screening or will be asked to provide a guarantor.
Shared house: Proof of income is often not required
When screening for a shared house, you will not necessarily be asked to provide proof of income, but the following points will be evaluated:
- Can you pay rent in advance (do you have savings)?
- Do you have future income prospects?
- Is it suitable for communal living?
Even if you are currently job hunting, are a freelancer, or work part-time, you are more likely to pass the screening if you can prove that you have enough savings to cover your rent payments.
②Whether or not you have a guarantor or a guarantee company
Regular rental: Strict screening of guarantors and guarantee companies
For general rental properties, you will often be asked to provide a guarantor, and in some cases you may not be able to sign a contract unless you pass the guarantor company's screening.
- A guarantor is required to be a family member with a stable income, as they are responsible for paying the rent if the tenant is unable to pay it.
- When reviewing a guarantor company, the company will also check your credit information and past history of default.
Share house: Many properties do not require a guarantor
Many share houses do not require a guarantor, so you may be able to sign a contract without going through a guarantor company. Alternatively, you may be able to sign a contract without a guarantor by paying a few months' rent in advance.
3) Personality and communication skills
General rental: Almost no face-to-face screening
In a normal rental property, there is almost no opportunity to talk face-to-face with the landlord or real estate company, and it is common to be able to sign a contract as long as the documents and guarantor are approved. Therefore, income and credit information are the most important, and personality and character are hardly taken into consideration.
Share house: Impressions during interviews are important
In shared houses, you will often have an interview with the manager or operating company before moving in, and the following points will be checked:
- Do you think you can build good relationships with other residents?
- Can you follow the rules of communal living?
- Greetings, language, and appearance
If you are extremely unsociable or rude, the host may think, "I don't want to live with this person," and you may fail the screening. In particular, international exchange-type or community-oriented share houses tend to welcome sociable people.
④Ease of moving in
Regular rental property: The screening process is strict and it takes time to move in.
In general, before signing a contract, the process for renting an apartment is as follows: document screening → guarantor company screening → contract procedures → moving in. The screening process usually takes several days to a week. Also, because the screening process is strict, it can be difficult for people with unstable jobs or income to move in.
Share house: properties available for immediate occupancy
Share houses have a simple screening process, and many properties allow you to move in as soon as the same day. In particular, properties with many vacant rooms tend to be able to sign contracts smoothly.
⑤Initial costs
Standard rental: Deposit, key money, and brokerage fee required
A typical rental contract requires a deposit, key money, brokerage fee, advance rent, and guarantor company fees, and the initial costs typically amount to four to six months' rent.
Example: A rental property with a rent of 70,000 yen
- Deposit (1 month): 70,000 yen
- Key money (1 month): 70,000 yen
- Brokerage fee (1 month): 70,000 yen
- First month's rent: 70,000 yen
- Guarantor company fee (0.5 months): 35,000 yen
- Total: Approximately 315,000 yen
Shared house: Low initial costs
Share houses do not require a deposit or key money, and many properties require only the advance rent plus a deposit, so initial costs are kept very low.
Example: A share house with a rent of 40,000 yen
- Deposit: 30,000 yen
- First month's rent: 40,000 yen
- Total: Approximately 70,000 yen
In addition, many properties come with furniture and appliances, so there are almost no additional costs for starting your new life.
⑥ Flexibility of contract
General rental: Minimum 1 year contract required
Generally, rental properties have a minimum contract of one to two years, and if you terminate the contract midway, you may be charged a penalty.
Share house: Many properties accept short-term contracts
Many share houses allow short-term contracts of one month at a time, making it easy to move suddenly. This is a big advantage, especially for people who are looking for a new job or who need a place to live temporarily.
Tips for moving into a share house even if you are unemployed
There is a good chance that you can move into a share house even if you are unemployed. However, unlike regular rental properties, share houses not only consider whether you have an income, but also your suitability for communal living and your ability to pay rent. Here, we will explain in detail the key points to pass the screening for a share house even if you are unemployed.
Cross House has a track record of accepting unemployed people, but the screening process is not made public. However, important points to consider are whether the applicant is cooperative, their ability to pay rent, and whether or not they have an emergency contact. In particular, suitability for communal living is emphasized, so be sure to dress neatly and respond politely during the interview. Even if you are unemployed, you can give them a sense of security by explaining your savings and future income projections.
Cross House share houses have an age limit of 18 to 39 years old, so please check before applying.
① Prove your ability to pay rent
When moving into a shared house, the most important thing is to be able to reliably pay the rent. If you are unemployed, your income will likely be deemed unstable, so proving your ability to pay the rent is the key to passing the screening.
Highlight your savings
Even if you are unemployed, you will be considered to have the ability to pay rent if you have a certain amount of savings. If you can show that you have savings of about six months to one year's rent, you will have a higher chance of passing the screening. It is a good idea to be prepared to show proof of bank balance and copies of your bankbook.
Explain your income expectations
Even if you are currently unemployed, if you plan to receive an income in the near future, it is important to clearly communicate this. If you explain that you are job hunting or have income from freelance or side jobs, it will be easier to be judged that you have the ability to pay rent.
② Demonstrate suitability for communal living
Since a share house is a place where multiple people live together, it is expected that the residents can build good relationships with each other. Therefore, an important point in the tenant screening is whether or not the applicant is suited to communal living.
Be mindful of polite behavior
Your attitude and responses during the interview may affect the screening. Pay attention to your greetings and language and show a sociable attitude to make a good impression.
Tell them you can follow the rules
In a share house, there are rules for using the common areas and for taking out the trash, so it is important to convey that you intend to abide by them. If you can explain that you understand the rules and can cooperate with the other residents, you will have a higher chance of passing the screening.
3) Make a good first impression
When applying for a share house, the first impression you make during the interview has a big impact. In particular, being neatly groomed and polite will leave a good impression.
Dress appropriately for the interview
Choose simple, clean clothing and avoid sloppy appearance. Being well-groomed will give you a good impression.
Promote clean living habits
Cleanliness is also important in communal living, so if you can convey that you are good at organizing things and can use the common spaces properly, you will be more likely to pass the screening.
④ Prepare a guarantor and emergency contact information
Some share houses require a guarantor. If you are unemployed, your ability to provide a guarantor may be an important factor in your application.
If you have a guarantor, it is easier to pass the screening.
It will be easier to pass the screening if you ask a relative or acquaintance to act as a guarantor. If you cannot provide a guarantor, another option is to look for a property that allows you to use a guarantor company.
Search for properties that can be rented without a guarantor
Some share houses do not require a guarantor. In particular, you may be able to sign a contract without a guarantor by paying several months' rent in advance, so it is a good idea to check with the management company in advance.
⑤Check the property conditions
Some share houses have different conditions for moving in. It is important to check the conditions in advance and choose a property that suits you.
Beware of properties with age restrictions
Some share houses have age restrictions, such as "20s only" or "up to 30s." Before applying, be sure to check whether your age falls within the restrictions.
Check if the property is gender-segregated
There are also share houses that are "women only" or "men only", so you should check the gender requirements in advance. Mixed-gender share houses tend to have more lenient screening procedures, so it may be a good idea to consider them as an option.
summary
It is possible to move into a shared house even if you are unemployed, but in order to pass the screening, it is important to demonstrate your ability to pay rent and suitability for communal living. Let them know that you have savings or income from a side job, and be polite and clean during the interview. Other effective measures include choosing a property that does not require a guarantor and paying rent in advance. Many shared houses allow short-term contracts, and initial costs are kept to a minimum, so they tend to be easier to move into than regular rental properties. Make sure to prepare well in advance and find a property that suits you.
