What kind of initial payments would I be expected to make before moving in?
There is typically 1 or 2 month’s security deposit (refundable), 1 or 2 month’s key money (non-refundable), 1 month agent fee plus consumption tax (currently 5%), and there may also be advance rent that you need to pay upon signing the lease. If you are signing an individual lease, having a guarantor would be a must and if you are not able to find one, you could be required to pay 50-100% of 1 month’s rent to an outside company and have them act as your guarantor.
