What is a share house?
A "share house" is a type of housing where multiple residents share common spaces such as the kitchen, bathroom, toilet, and living room within a single rental property, while each resident has their own private space. This style is the most common form of share house. The style of private space varies depending on the share house property; it could be a room shared by several people, or each person could be assigned their own private room. Be sure to check this when you visit the property beforehand. You may have an idea of what a share house is, but few people may know the details of what life is actually like there. Here, we will explain what life is really like in a share house in an easy-to-understand way.
Advantages of a shared house
Now, let's look at the advantages of living in a shared house. Hopefully, this will give you some ideas about what's most important to you.
Cost reduction
One of the biggest advantages of living in a shared house is the cost savings. In most cases, there is no need for a security deposit, key money, or brokerage fees. Also, it is common for basic furniture and appliances to be provided, so you don't need to buy furniture, making moving in very easy. When living alone, you need to buy large appliances (such as a washing machine and refrigerator), but in a shared house, these appliances are already installed, so you can move in with less hassle and with less personal belongings.
Reducing loneliness
In a shared house, loneliness is reduced because you can go to the common areas and find someone to talk to. The loneliness you might feel living alone is lessened in a shared house because you have the reassurance of knowing someone is there. Unlike with family or friends, you can maintain a comfortable distance from other residents, so you can quietly retreat to your room when you don't want to communicate much.
Opportunities for intercultural exchange and networking
Furthermore, because you'll meet a variety of people, it's a very enjoyable place to live for those interested in cross-cultural exchange and networking. You can also be exposed to different values. People often hit it off and become best friends in the share house, or start businesses together based on shared business ideas, so it can be greatly utilized as a networking space.
Search for a room
Only furnished properties with appliances are listed!
Disadvantages of shared housing
Next, let's look at the disadvantages of living in a shared house. We'll examine in detail what precautions you should take when living in a shared house.
Noise and the presence of people
This type of housing is not suitable for people who want to spend time alone in peace and quiet, or for those who find noise and the presence of other people stressful. While there are basic rules and manners, there are other residents, and everyone has a different lifestyle. If you are someone who is easily bothered by others, a shared house might not be suitable for you.
Human relationships
While there are generally rules regarding how to use shared spaces and facilities, since people with different lifestyles and ways of thinking live together, your own common sense may not always apply. If you don't get along with your housemates, your daily life may become stressful. Those with previous dormitory experience may be able to start living in a share house without any problems. The important thing is for everyone to be aware that they are living in the same space and place as other people, while maintaining a reasonable distance from one another.
It's difficult to invite family and friends over.
Some share houses prohibit entry to anyone other than residents. Even family members may not be allowed in unless there is a valid reason, so caution is advised. Rules vary from property to property, but some share houses allow you to invite family and friends if you apply in advance, so it's a good idea to check before moving in.
Types of shared houses
Next, let's talk about the types of share houses. There are three main types: building type, room type, and concept type. Let's look at each of them.
Types of shared housing buildings
The types of buildings used as share houses vary depending on the number of occupants and the facilities available. Common building types include apartments, detached houses, and condominiums. Recently, renovated traditional Japanese houses have also become available as share houses, offering a unique living space.
Room type
The following room types are available: private rooms for one person and shared rooms (dormitories) for two or more people.
Concept type
One of the attractions of share houses is the formation of communities based on various concepts. Recently, properties with unique concepts, such as pet-friendly, SOHO (office use) permitted, and even share houses aimed at international exchange, have been attracting attention. By finding a share house that suits your lifestyle and hobbies, you may be able to enjoy a more fulfilling life.
Search for a room
Only furnished properties with appliances are listed!
Initial costs for living in a shared house
First, let's look at an example of the initial costs for a single-person private room. Please note that the actual costs may vary, so use this only as an example.
Security deposit: 20,000 yen to 30,000 yen
While it varies depending on the property, in most cases, there is no security deposit or key money like with regular rental properties; instead, a guarantee deposit is paid to the property management company. Even in share houses, there may be renewal fees for continuing to occupy the property, or fees required when renewing the contract. Be sure to carefully check the contract details in advance. The deposit amount is often relatively low, around one month's rent, so you can start with a low initial financial burden.
Monthly rent: 35,000 to 50,000 yen
The cost varies depending on the conditions, so you need to consider your budget and requirements. However, you'll find that it's significantly cheaper than renting an apartment. As a guideline, it's important to understand the average rent prices.
Utility costs: 10,000 to 15,000 yen
In many shared houses, utility costs are set at a fixed rate. This stabilizes monthly fixed expenses and makes it easier to predict living expenses. For those who want to live on a budget, shared housing is a highly recommended option.
Characteristics of people suited to living in a shared house
Share houses are home to a diverse range of residents, including university students, international students, office workers, SOHO (small office) workers, and people on business trips away from their families. Since sharing common spaces with other residents is a prerequisite, it is best suited for people who enjoy communicating with others and can adapt to communal living.
Someone who can live in a shared house while following the manners and rules.
Each share house may have its own unique manners and rules, so it's essential to check them thoroughly beforehand. Adhering to the rules and manners of each share house, such as curfews, usage of common areas, and cleaning procedures, will allow residents to live comfortably and pleasantly together. The awareness of each resident is crucial.
A person with at least basic social skills
Basic social skills and communication abilities are necessary, such as greeting others when passing them and cooperating when working on something together. In a shared house, smooth communication is essential because you share the same space with many people.
Search for a room
Only furnished properties with appliances are listed!
Characteristics of people who are not suited to living in a shared house
People who are not suited to living in a shared house often have the following characteristics: In a shared house, you live with multiple people, so communication with your housemates is essential. Also, it's important to follow basic rules and manners.
People who want to spend time alone at their own pace
While you can spend your time as you please in your own private room, you inevitably share common areas with other residents. Acting selfishly or doing whatever you want will inconvenience others in a shared living environment, so please avoid such behavior. This type of living is not suitable for people like that.
People with obsessive-compulsive disorder
In a shared house, it's common for all residents to take turns using and cleaning the bathrooms, kitchens, bathrooms, toilets, washing machines, etc. Because you're sharing common spaces with other residents, those who are particularly fastidious might find communal living a little challenging. However, if there are many residents with similar values and lifestyles, you can live comfortably without any problems. If you have a flexible mindset and are willing to adapt to living with diverse people, you might enjoy living in a shared house.
People who dislike communicating with others
Since you'll be interacting with other residents, a minimum level of communication is essential. If you dislike communicating with people in general, then living with other residents will be difficult. It's important to maintain a reasonable distance while still communicating with others.
What's life like in a shared house? Characteristics by size
So, what is life like in a share house? The characteristics vary depending on the size of the share house, so let's explain each one in detail. Use this as a guide to help you decide which size of share house suits you best.
Characteristics of small-scale (2-5 people) share houses
Small-scale share houses, with their limited number of residents, allow you to live your daily life with the feeling of living with acquaintances or friends. You also get to see your housemates' lifestyles, making it easier to maintain a relatively private time without feeling overly concerned about others' feelings. When you happen to be using the kitchen at the same time, you can eat together, complain about work, or talk about relationships. However, when you all need to use the shared bathroom or toilet at the same time, you need to be considerate of each other, which can be a little stressful. In such cases, you may need to adjust your daily routine.
Characteristics of a medium-sized (5-20 people) share house
Compared to small-scale share houses, larger share houses tend to have more residents, leading to more frequent use of shared spaces. You'll likely spend more time with others, such as drinking together in the living room or relaxing in the living room with a group. The presence of university students, international students, and working professionals also makes it easier to interact with a wider range of people. Regarding bathrooms and other facilities, which are often a concern when moving in, the increased number of washing machines and toilets means that, depending on residents' lifestyles, usage times won't overlap, resulting in a stress-free experience. However, noise levels may be slightly higher in the living room area compared to smaller properties due to the increased number of residents. This size of house is ideal for fostering close relationships. If you're looking to build a strong community, a medium-sized share house is recommended.
Characteristics of large-scale (20 or more people) share houses
Large-scale share houses are characterized by their spacious common areas and frequent community events. These events offer many opportunities for new encounters, and residents can deepen their relationships by finding common ground. However, the more residents there are, the more diverse and fluid the relationships become, and surprisingly, relationships in large share houses may be more detached. Those who want to actively communicate with other residents will need to initiate conversations themselves. Furthermore, as the number of residents increases, so do the potential for conflicts, often arising from noise and other issues. Kitchens, bathrooms, and toilets also tend to get dirtier with more use. It's essential that everyone is mindful of keeping these areas clean and tidy.
Real-life experiences of living in a shared house
Living in a shared house offers a series of surprisingly interesting and engaging experiences. I'll share several stories about the unique aspects of living in a shared house, including the balance between personal privacy and communal living with other residents, as well as interactions with other residents.
How to use the shared space
Making use of shared spaces is one of the great things about living in a share house. Shared spaces such as the kitchen, bathroom, and living room are places to interact with other residents and to be exposed to new cultures and ways of thinking. In the kitchen, Japanese students and international students cook together, and in the living room, meals are shared, fostering international exchange. One resident said, "At first, I thought cooking for myself was a hassle, but now I enjoy cooking with other residents, and I look forward to cooking time on the weekends." In the living room, one resident said, "After coming home from work, I relax in the living room and naturally strike up conversations with other residents, which makes me happy because I no longer feel lonely living alone." While there are heartwarming stories like these, rules and manners are essential when using shared spaces. Living with consideration for others creates a comfortable communal life. In some share houses, there are also cleaning duties, and residents take turns cleaning. By following the rules and keeping the shared spaces clean, everyone can live comfortably.
Privacy considerations
In a shared house, it's important to strike a balance between personal privacy and interaction with other residents. A private room provides your own space, while common areas foster interaction and a sense of community with other residents. This balance varies depending on each resident's needs. Some people choose shared housing because they are attracted to the ability to switch between work and relaxation in their private rooms and common areas. Others say, "At first, I felt stressed and tired from being considerate of others, but gradually I found my own pace and am now able to live while maintaining a comfortable distance from other residents." Ultimately, it's important for each person to live in a way that suits them.
There are many events and opportunities for interaction with others.
The abundance of events and other forms of interaction is an experience unique to share houses. They play a significant role in building new relationships and promoting cross-cultural understanding. For example, we hold international cooking parties, movie screenings, and language exchange events. It varies from share house to share house; some have many community events, while others have fewer. One international student who had just arrived in Japan confided, "I was anxious because I didn't understand Japanese, but I made many friends, my Japanese improved a little, and I came to love Japan even more."
Key points when choosing a shared house
Viewing a shared house is very important for understanding the actual living environment. Please check the following items during your viewing.
Viewing (from facilities to atmosphere)
When viewing a property, it's recommended to carefully check the facilities and equipment. For example, consider the following:
- Regarding the size and facilities of the private room: Is there enough bed, desk, and storage space?
- Cleanliness of common areas: How clean are the kitchen, bathroom, toilet, etc. (are they tidy?)
- Security: Automatic lock at the entrance, presence of security cameras.
- Condition of furniture: How are appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines, and air conditioners working?
- Internet environment: Wi-Fi speed and stability
- Regarding the surrounding environment: supermarkets, restaurants, distance to the nearest station, and what else is available nearby.
- Regarding the house rules: how to use common areas, cleaning common areas and visitors, curfew restrictions, and how to receive packages (check any posted rules).
It's a good idea to check the above points when you view the property. The atmosphere of each share house can vary greatly, so it's a good idea to check what kind of atmosphere it has and what kind of people the residents are. Asking questions to the person in charge at the management company is also a good idea. If the company is managing and operating the property well, they may be able to tell you in detail what kind of residents there are, what kind of problems have occurred, and what kind of requests residents have made.
Points to note when signing a contract
Share house contracts differ from typical rental agreements in several ways. Here are a few examples.
- Security deposit: Confirmation of the security amount, refund conditions, and renewal terms.
- Cancellation conditions: Check the notice period and whether or not there are any penalties.
- Regarding the contract period: Confirmation of the contract period and renewal method.
- Breakdown of common area maintenance fees: If there are common area maintenance fees, check the amount and what is included.
- Regarding repairs: Confirmation of procedures in case of equipment failure and the cost of repairs.
- Handling of personal information: Confirmation of the scope of information sharing with other residents.
- House rules: Check what specific rules there are.
Carefully review the above information before signing the contract, and be sure to ask questions to resolve any concerns. It is also important to check whether your lifestyle is compatible with the house rules of the shared house.
How to find a shared house that suits your lifestyle
Share houses have been on the rise in recent years. As a result, there are many different types of share houses available. To find the perfect property that suits your lifestyle, you need to consider the following factors.
- Budget when moving in: Clearly define your monthly payment amount and then find a property.
- Share house location: Check the commute time and what facilities are available nearby.
- Facilities: Check the types of private rooms, the atmosphere of the common areas, and whether the facilities are adequate.
- About the residents: Learn about their characteristics such as age range, nationality, and attributes (mostly students and working adults).
- Share house management system: availability of cleaning services and manager information.
- Community and Share House Concept: Check out events, interactions with other residents, and find out what kind of concept the share house has.
Please check the items mentioned above. If you want to know more, you can search online and read reviews, or if possible, try to have a conversation with the current residents.
What is the value of living in a shared house?
Living in a shared house can sometimes make it difficult to balance work and personal life while living with other residents. However, on the other hand, joining a new community can offer different kinds of enjoyment compared to living alone. Living with people of different ages, occupations, and living environments can be a valuable experience that you can't get anywhere else. The connections you make here may even have great significance in your future life. Rather than simply aiming for financial savings, it's also worthwhile to value the connections and experiences you gain from living in a shared house.
summary
This time, we discussed what it's like to live in a share house, explaining the advantages and disadvantages, as well as sharing personal experiences. There are various types of share houses. Be sure to visit any properties you're interested in beforehand and carefully check the house rules. Nowadays, there are many different types of share houses, so it's best to take your time to find an environment that suits you so you don't regret it after moving in. On the other hand, it may not be suitable for people who have difficulty with privacy and respecting rules. If you are considering living in a share house, do your research so you can choose a property that suits your lifestyle.
