Can you live in a shared house even if you're unemployed?
Share houses often have more flexible application processes compared to regular rentals, making them potentially accessible even to unemployed individuals. However, not all share houses accept unemployed people, and each property has its own unique screening criteria. In particular, share houses that are more accommodating to those without income often have certain characteristics, so it's important to understand these before choosing a property.
Features of share houses that accept unemployed individuals
Share houses that are relatively easy for unemployed people to move into have the following characteristics:
1. Do not strictly require proof of income.
While typical rental properties require proof of a stable income, many share houses prioritize savings and future income prospects over income status. For example, having reasons such as "currently looking for a job," "planning to work as a freelancer," or "having side income" increases your chances of passing the screening process.
2. In some cases, a guarantor or guarantee company's screening process may not be required.
While regular rental properties require a guarantor, many share houses do not. Furthermore, some properties allow you to sign a contract without using a guarantee company, expanding options for those who cannot provide a guarantor.
3. Rent is low, and initial costs can be kept down.
For unemployed individuals, rent and initial costs are a major concern. Many shared housing options are available for as little as 30,000-40,000 yen per month, and many do not require a security deposit or key money. Furthermore, properties furnished with furniture and appliances can reduce moving costs, thus lessening the financial burden.
4. The tenant profile is diverse, and the screening process is flexible.
Share houses are home to people from diverse backgrounds, including freelancers, students, foreigners, and those looking for a new job. Therefore, they offer a relatively welcoming environment for individuals with unstable employment or income.
5. Communication skills are highly valued.
In a shared house, the ability to live together smoothly is a crucial factor. Therefore, during the interview, they will check things like whether you seem likely to build good relationships with other residents and whether you can follow the rules of communal living. Sometimes, being cheerful and polite can have a greater impact on passing the screening than whether or not you have an income.
Differences in screening criteria between shared housing and regular rental properties
The criteria for screening applicants for shared housing and typical rental properties differ significantly. While typical rentals prioritize "stable income" and "creditworthiness," shared housing tends to emphasize "suitability for communal living." Below, we will compare the screening criteria for each and explain in detail what to pay attention to in order to increase your chances of passing the screening for shared housing.
| General rental | Share house | |
| Proof of Income | Required | Often unnecessary |
| Guarantor | Required | There are many unnecessary properties. |
| Character assessment | none | Yes (e.g., interviews) |
| Initial cost | High cost (equivalent to 4-6 months' rent) | Cheap (equivalent to 1-2 months' rent) |
| Move-in speed | 1 to 2 weeks | Available for immediate occupancy |
| Contract period | minimum 1 year | Available on a monthly basis |
① Criteria for evaluating income stability
General rental: Stable income is paramount.
For typical rental properties, a common guideline is having a monthly income of approximately three times the rent, and proof of employment and annual income is usually required. Furthermore, those with stable employment, such as full-time employees or civil servants, are more likely to pass the screening process.
<Required documents>
- Withholding tax slip
- Pay slip
- Resident record
- Information of the joint guarantor
If you have a low income or are unemployed, it is common to fail the screening process of a guarantee company or to be asked to provide a co-signer.
Shared housing: Income verification is often not required.
When applying for a shared house, proof of income is not always required; the following points are evaluated instead:
- Can you pay the rent in advance (do you have savings)?
- Do you have any prospects for future income?
- Is it suitable for communal living?
Even those currently job hunting, working freelance, or doing part-time work can increase their chances of passing the screening process if they can prove they have enough savings to avoid falling behind on rent payments.
② Whether or not there is a guarantor or guarantee company
General rentals: Strict screening process for guarantors and guarantee companies.
In typical rental agreements, a co-signer is often required, and in some cases, you cannot sign a contract unless you pass the screening process of a guarantee company.
- A joint guarantor is responsible for paying the rent if the tenant is unable to do so, so they are required to be a family member with a stable income.
- The guarantee company's screening process includes checking credit information and past payment default history.
Share houses: Many properties do not require a guarantor.
Many shared houses do not require a guarantor, and it is sometimes possible to sign a contract without going through a guarantee company. Instead, it may be possible to sign a contract without a guarantor by paying several months' rent in advance.
③ Personality and communication skills
General rentals: Almost no in-person screening.
In typical rental properties, there are usually few opportunities to speak face-to-face with the landlord or real estate company, and a contract can generally be signed if the documents and guarantor's information are approved. Therefore, income and credit information are of utmost importance, and personality and character are rarely considered.
Shared housing: Impression during the interview is important.
In shared housing, an interview with the manager or management company is often conducted before moving in, and the following points are checked:
- Do you think you can build good relationships with the other residents?
- Can you follow the rules of communal living?
- Greetings, manners of speech, and personal appearance
If you are extremely unfriendly or behave rudely, you may be rejected during the screening process, as people may think, "I don't want to live with this person." In particular, in international exchange-oriented or community-focused share houses, sociable people tend to be more welcome.
④ Ease of moving in
General rentals: The screening process is strict, and it takes a long time to move in.
The typical rental process involves document screening, guarantor company screening, contract procedures, and move-in, and the screening process usually takes several days to a week. Also, because the screening is strict, it can be difficult for people with unstable occupations or incomes to get a rental.
Share houses: Some properties are available for immediate occupancy.
Share houses often have a simple screening process, and many properties allow for move-in as quickly as the same day. This is especially true for properties with many vacancies, where the contract process is usually very smooth.
⑤Initial cost
General rentals: Security deposit, key money, and brokerage fees apply.
In a typical rental agreement, initial costs usually amount to 4 to 6 months' worth of rent, including a security deposit, key money, brokerage fees, advance rent, and guarantee company fees.
Example: Rental property with a rent of 70,000 yen
- Security 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
- Guarantee company fee (0.5 months): 35,000 yen
- Total: Approximately 315,000 yen
Share house: Low initial costs
In shared housing, there is often no security deposit or key money required, and you can move in with only the first month's rent plus a deposit, so initial costs are kept very low.
Example: 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
Furthermore, since many properties come furnished with furniture and appliances, there are virtually no additional costs to start a new life.
⑥ Degree of contractual freedom
General rentals: A minimum contract of one year is the norm.
In typical rental agreements, the minimum contract period is usually one to two years, and early termination may incur a penalty fee.
Share houses: Many properties allow short-term contracts.
Many shared houses offer short-term contracts on a monthly basis, making them ideal for those who need to move unexpectedly. This is a significant advantage, especially for people who are looking for a new job or who need temporary housing.
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Tips for moving into a shared house even if you're unemployed
Even if you're unemployed, there's a good chance you can move into a share house. However, unlike typical rental properties, share houses prioritize not only income but also suitability for communal living and ability to pay rent. Here, we'll explain in detail the key points for passing the share house screening process even if you're unemployed.
Cross House has a track record of renting to unemployed individuals, but the screening process is not publicly disclosed. However, important factors include "cooperativeness," "ability to pay rent," and "availability of emergency contacts." In particular, suitability for communal living is highly valued, so be sure to dress neatly and answer questions politely during the interview. Even if you are unemployed, you can provide reassurance by explaining your savings and future income prospects.
Cross House's share houses have an age restriction of 18 to 39 years old, so you need to check before applying.
① Prove you have the ability to pay rent.
When moving into a shared house, the most important factor is being able to reliably pay the rent. If you are unemployed, your income is likely to be considered unstable, so proving your ability to pay rent is key to passing the screening process.
Show off your savings
Even if you are unemployed, having a certain amount of savings will be considered sufficient to pay rent. Demonstrating savings equivalent to six months to a year's rent will increase your chances of passing the screening process. It's a good idea to prepare bank statements or copies of your bank passbooks.
Explain your income prospects.
Even if you are currently unemployed, it's important to clearly state if you plan to earn income in the near future. Explaining that you are actively seeking employment or have income from freelance work or side jobs will make it easier for landlords to see that you have the ability to pay rent.
② Demonstrates suitability for communal living.
Since multiple people live together in a shared house, it is essential that residents can build good relationships with each other. Therefore, suitability for communal living is a crucial point in the application process.
Be mindful of polite behavior.
Your attitude and responses during the interview can influence the selection process. Paying attention to greetings and language, and demonstrating a sociable attitude will help you make a good impression.
Communicate that you can follow the rules.
In a shared house, there are rules for using common spaces and for taking out the trash, so it's important to convey that you intend to abide by them. If you can explain that you "understand the rules and can live in cooperation with the residents," your chances of passing the screening will increase.
③ Make a good first impression
In the screening process for shared housing, the first impression you make during the interview has a significant impact. In particular, a clean and neat appearance and a polite demeanor will create a positive impression.
Dress appropriately for the interview.
Choose simple and clean clothing, and avoid sloppy attire. A well-groomed appearance will give you a more professional impression.
To promote clean lifestyle habits
In shared living situations, cleanliness is also highly valued. Demonstrating that you are good at organizing and tidying up, and that you can properly use shared spaces, will increase your chances of passing the screening process.
④ Prepare a guarantor and emergency contact person.
Some shared housing properties require a co-signer. If you are unemployed, whether or not you can provide a co-signer may be a key factor in the application process.
Having a guarantor makes it easier to pass the screening process.
Asking a relative or acquaintance to act as a co-signer can increase your chances of passing the loan application process. If you are unable to provide a co-signer, looking for properties that utilize a guarantee company is another option.
I'm looking for a property that I can rent without a co-signer.
Some shared houses do not require a guarantor. In particular, it is sometimes possible to sign a contract without a guarantor by paying several months' rent in advance, so it is a good idea to consult with the management company beforehand.
⑤ Check the property conditions.
Share houses often have specific entry requirements for each property. It's important to check the requirements in advance and choose a property that suits you.
Be aware of properties with age restrictions.
Some shared houses have age restrictions, such as "20s only" or "up to 30s." Be sure to check if your age is within the age limit before applying.
Check if the property is separated by gender.
Since there are also "female-only" and "male-only" share houses, you need to check the gender requirements in advance. Mixed-gender share houses tend to have relatively lenient screening processes, so it's a good option to consider.
summary
Even if you're unemployed, it's possible to move into a share house, but to pass the screening process, it's important to demonstrate your ability to pay rent and your suitability for communal living. Mention your savings and any side income, and maintain a polite and clean demeanor during the interview. Choosing properties that don't require a guarantor and paying rent in advance are also effective strategies. Many share houses offer short-term contracts, keeping initial costs down, making them generally easier to move into than regular rentals. Prepare thoroughly beforehand and find a property that suits you.
