Characteristics of utility costs in furnished apartments
There are various types of furnished apartments. In typical rental housing with two or three year contracts that can be renewed, if the apartment comes with furniture and appliances, the tenant will generally sign separate contracts for electricity, water, gas, etc.On the other hand, for furnished apartments that can be rented for short periods such as weekly or monthly, individual contracts are generally not required.
Overview of utility costs for furnished apartments
When it comes to utilities for furnished apartments that can be rented on a weekly or monthly basis, the costs may be included in the rent or you may be charged later depending on your actual usage.In some cases, even if the charges are included, if you exceed a certain amount of usage, you may be charged separately. The basic system is that the landlord or management company is the contract holder for electricity, gas, water, etc., and the tenant pays a monthly basic fee and a usage fee for the amount used, and the amount of this charge is reflected in the rent and separate bill.
Reasons why utility bills tend to be high and the background to this
Tenants do not realize that they are paying a high amount because the fee is included in the rent, but in fact, in many cases, the utility bills are higher than if they were to sign a contract on their own. This is because the fee is often calculated based on a daily amount rather than the actual amount used.In cases where you can rent by the day or where the rent is calculated on a pro rata basis even if you cancel midway, utility fees are also set at a daily rate. If you assume that the daily rate is 400 yen, then for 30 days it will be 12,000 yen.
For those who live alone and spend the day at work or school and do not use electricity at home, even if they pay the basic fee and usage fee individually, the total will often be less than 10,000 yen.
Landlords and management companies tend to overestimate and set fees so that they do not end up essentially bearing the burden, which means they tend to be high.
Choosing furniture and appliances to reduce utility bills
For landlords and management companies, if tenants pay less in utility bills compared to the set fees, they can increase their revenue.On the other hand, tenants are advised to choose furniture and appliances that will help reduce utility bills, in case they are charged additional utility fees or are charged based on usage.
How to choose energy-efficient appliances
The key to choosing energy-efficient home appliances is to check the unified energy-saving label. This label is attached to air conditioners, refrigerators, televisions, heated toilet seats, and lighting fixtures, and indicates the level of energy-saving performance with a number of stars, as well as an estimate of the annual electricity bill.Generally, the newer the model, the more energy-efficient it is, so it is recommended to find a store where you can buy the latest high-performance model at a low price.
The relationship between furniture arrangement and energy saving effect
To increase energy efficiency, try arranging and placing your furniture according to the season.In winter, the floor gets cold, so instead of placing sofas and chairs directly on the floor, laying a rug or carpet underneath will help prevent them from getting cold, allowing you to lower the heating setting temperature and save energy.
On the other hand, in the summer you can remove rugs, hang curtains or blinds to block the sunlight coming through the windows, and place sofas and other furniture in a well-ventilated spot to stay cool.
Practical advice for saving money on energy bills
Here are some practical tips to help you save money on your daily energy bills.Energy saving techniques for everyday life
When using air conditioners, which are among the electrical appliances that consume the most electricity, be sure to turn on a circulator or fan in both summer and winter to prevent hot and cold air from accumulating in one area.Don't overcrowd your refrigerator, pack your freezer full so that the items can cool each other, and open and close the door quickly to prevent cold air from escaping.
You can reduce electricity consumption by not using the keep warm function on your rice cooker, but by cooking a large amount, dividing it into smaller portions, freezing it, and then defrosting it in the microwave when you need it.
How to improve your lifestyle to maximize your savings
If you leave the lights on full blast and the air conditioner or heater running at full blast while watching TV or playing games on your computer or game console late at night or until the early hours of the morning, you will incur electricity bills.It is recommended that you improve your lifestyle habits, such as going to bed early, getting up early, and limiting television and video game time to set times.
Subsidies and support systems to help you save on utility bills
To save on utility bills, it is recommended that you improve the insulation of your home or install highly efficient energy-saving appliances.Some national and local governments provide subsidies for construction work to improve the energy efficiency of homes, including windows, and for replacing water heaters with energy-efficient ones.
Reference sites: https://jutaku-shoene2024.mlit.go.jp/ https://chintai-shoene2024.meti.go.jp/about/
Overview of national and local government support systems
In the case of furnished apartments, the key point is whether the landlord, not the tenant, can use the support system.For example, if you meet the eligibility requirements for the subsidy program for promoting the introduction of small, energy-saving water heaters in existing rental apartment complexes, you can receive subsidies for the cost of replacing your conventional water heater with a designated small, energy-saving water heater, or you can receive subsidies if you lease a water heater.
Reference website: https://chintai-shoene2024.meti.go.jp/overview/
Key points for applying for subsidies that will lead to savings
Owners or management companies of rental apartment buildings are required to replace water heaters in two or more rented units in each building with energy-efficient water heaters.Please note that subsidies are not available for private lodging facilities or weekly apartments operated solely under a license under the Inns and Hotels Act.
Frequently asked questions and answers about utility bills
We answer frequently asked questions about utility bills for fully furnished apartments.What to check if your utility bills are abnormally high
If your utility bill is abnormally high or you receive an extra bill, check to see if you are wasting electricity by leaving appliances plugged in and check the energy-saving performance of the appliances you are using. Many appliances are old models with low energy-saving performance.Items related to utility costs that you should check before signing a contract
Before signing a contract for an apartment with furniture and appliances, check whether utilities are included or charged separately. Even if they are included, it is recommended to check the specific amount per day and consider whether you are satisfied with it.Also, if you are living with multiple people, it is important to check whether daily utility fees are charged per person.
