What is a monthly apartment? Three reasons why it is chosen for various occasions
A monthly apartment is a property that can be rented for a short period of a few months. The appeal is that it comes with furniture and appliances so you can move in right away, but what are its specific features? Also, how exactly does it differ from a hotel or a regular rental apartment?
In this article, we will explain the features of monthly apartments and the contract process, as well as the differences between monthly apartments, rental apartments, hotels, and weekly apartments.
- What is a monthly apartment?
- In what situations are monthly apartments used?
- Steps for signing a monthly apartment contract
- Three reasons why people choose monthly apartments
- Disadvantages of monthly apartments
- The difference between monthly apartments and rental apartments
- The difference between monthly apartments and business hotels
- The difference between monthly and weekly apartments
- Livemax - Monthly Apartments
What is a monthly apartment?
Monthly means "once a month," "every month," or "valid for one month" in English. In other words, a monthly apartment is an apartment for rent for short-term stays of one to several months.
- You can stay for a period of one month (30 days) to several months.
- The room itself is the same as a normal rental apartment and comes equipped with furniture and appliances.
- The contract is simple and you can move in as soon as the same day
As long as the contract period is one month (30 days) or more, you can stay for as many months as you need. In most cases, you can discuss the period with them if you need to extend it, and any period exceeding the monthly fee will be calculated on a pro rata basis.
Monthly apartments are the same buildings and rooms as regular rental apartments, but they come equipped with furniture and appliances. In addition, the screening and contract process is very simple, and there are no initial costs such as a deposit or key money, so you can move in immediately when you need it with minimal costs.
In what situations are monthly apartments used?
Monthly apartments are used by both corporations and individuals in a variety of situations. There are surprisingly many situations in which temporary housing is needed, and in particular, with the increased demand for teleworking and remote work since the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been an increasing number of cases in which monthly apartments are used as study or work spaces.
Monthly apartments are recommended for these people
Monthly apartments are suitable for the following people:
- I want to stay for a short period of time with a time limit
- I want to start living as soon as possible
- Want to reduce initial costs such as deposits and key money?
- It's a waste to buy new furniture and appliances
- I don't want to move my residence card because I have another house
Monthly apartments are a very convenient option for those who want to stay for a longer period than they would in a hotel, but are simply staying somewhere and not moving.
Corporate use cases
- As a place to stay for long-term business trips
- As company housing
- As a base for foreign employees in Japan
- As a base for employee training
Personal use scenarios
- As a temporary residence while renovating your home
- As a trial period before moving in together
- When you need to visit a family member
- As a space for hobbies and personal businesses
- As a trial residence before starting to live alone
- A base for job hunting and exam preparation
Steps for signing a monthly apartment contract
The flow of a monthly apartment contract is simple. It is easier than a general rental property contract, and some companies allow you to complete the contract online or by email. The details vary depending on the management company, but the general flow is as follows.
- Search for properties and check availability
- Prepare your identity documents and apply
- Once the results are out, you will make the payment
- Receive the key and move in
For a normal rental contract, the screening process can take several days or even several weeks, but for a monthly apartment, the screening can be completed as quickly as the same day.
For more information on how to find a monthly apartment, please see this article.
Three reasons why people choose monthly apartments
The main reasons why monthly apartments are chosen are threefold: cost, contract, and facilities.
Initial costs are cheaper than regular rentals
With a monthly apartment contract, you don't have to pay any initial fees, such as a security deposit or key money, which are required for a regular rental contract. With a regular rental contract, you often have to pay about six months' rent as an initial fee, but with a monthly apartment, you can basically move in by paying only the rent and cleaning fee.
The initial costs required for monthly apartment Livmax are as follows.
- Rent
- Restoration fee
- Monthly Pack
Utility bills, internet fees, and equipment fees may be included in the rent, or may be paid separately. Rules vary depending on the management company, but in any case, these will likely be significantly cheaper than the initial costs of a typical rental apartment.
Short-term contracts are OK, so you can live there for as long as you need
Most regular rental contracts are for two years, but monthly apartments can be rented for as long as you need, from one month (30 days) to several months. They are perfect for those who only need to live in an apartment for a few months, such as for exams, business trips, or as temporary housing during renovations.
Another advantage of monthly apartments is that you can extend your stay if necessary. If there are no other tenants available, you can extend your stay. Even if it is difficult to extend your stay in the same room, you may be introduced to other rooms with similar conditions.
Furnishings, home appliances and other daily necessities are available
Monthly apartments come equipped with the furniture, appliances, and other daily necessities. Purchasing new furniture and appliances for a short stay is not only costly but also wasteful, but with a monthly apartment you don't have to worry about disposing of them.
The facilities provided will vary depending on the management company and the property, so you'll need to check before moving in, but the basic furniture and appliances provided in most monthly apartments are listed below.
- Air conditioning
- tv set
- washing machine
- microwave oven
- refrigerator
- curtain
- TV stand
- Desk and chair
- Beds etc.
For more information about the facilities available in monthly apartments, please see this article.
In addition, the following optional equipment can be rented or purchased. You will need to bring everything except the basic furniture and appliances, but there may be consumables and convenient appliances that can be rented or purchased, so be sure to check.
- iron
- mobile router
- Air cleaner
- Extra futon
- Additional kitchen utensils etc.
The article below explains some useful items to bring with you when staying in a monthly apartment.
Disadvantages of monthly apartments
Monthly apartments are convenient for short-term stays, but of course they are not an all-purpose solution. Before moving in, be sure to check the disadvantages as well.
Longer stays may be more expensive
Monthly apartments come with furniture and appliances and do not require any initial costs. However, the monthly rent is not set with the expectation of long-term residence. Therefore, if you plan to live there for a long time, it will be cheaper to sign a contract for a regular rental property.
[Reference] Average rent for monthly apartments
As a rough guide, in Tokyo-to, the average rent for a typical rental property (1R/1K) is around 60,000 to 110,000 yen, and for a monthly apartment with the same conditions it is around 100,000 to 150,000 yen. In other cities such as Osaka and Fukuoka, the average rent is a little cheaper due to land prices. In Osaka and Fukuoka, the average rent for a monthly apartment is around 60,000 to 100,000 yen.
Can't view inside
Generally, monthly apartments do not allow viewing inside the apartment, which may be a cause for concern for people who want to see the room with their own eyes before moving in. Some management companies offer their own online viewing services or distribute videos of the room, but if you have any concerns, you will need to check by chat or phone.
I have to do my own housework
Unlike hotels, monthly apartments require you to do all of your own housework. If you don't think you'll have time to do housework, you might want to consider a long-stay hotel plan.
The disadvantages of monthly apartments are explained in detail in this article.
The difference between monthly apartments and rental apartments
Monthly apartments and regular rental apartments have the same room selection, layout, and facilities such as plumbing, but because the intended uses are different, there are big differences in the contract procedures, fee structures, and level of amenities.
| Monthly apartment | Typical rental apartment | |
|---|---|---|
| Contract Period | 1 month - Short term OK | Basic 2 year contract |
| Furniture and appliances | Everything is here | You need to prepare it yourself |
| Initial cost | Many properties do not require a deposit or key money | Deposit, key money, and brokerage fee required |
| rent | Rent: Expensive (approximately 175,000 yen per month) | Cheap (approximately 122,500 yen per month) |
| Utilities/Wi-Fi | Rent is often included | You need to sign a contract and pay by yourself |
| Resident registration | In principle not allowed | Registration possible |
| Ease of cancellation | Flexible cancellation policy | Cancellation fees may apply for early termination |
For short-term stays, the total cost will be significantly affected by the presence or absence of furniture and appliances and the initial costs.
In these cases, renting an apartment is better
In the following cases, we recommend renting an apartment over a monthly apartment.
- Likely to stay for a long period (one year or more)
- Even if you incur an initial cost, you can keep your monthly rent low in the long run.
- I am moving and would like to register my residence at my new address.
You can also find more information about monthly apartments and resident registration in this article.
The difference between monthly apartments and business hotels
Business hotels are facilities for short-term stays. Generally, business hotels are cheaper for stays of a few days, but are cheaper for longer stays of several months to half a year. However, even for long-term stays, there are now some business hotels that offer long-stay plans in monthly increments, so please compare options based on your purpose.
When comparing the long-stay plans of monthly apartments and business hotels, the cost difference is not that great, so the key point of comparison is the facilities. If you want to cook your own meals and feel like at home, we recommend monthly apartments, and if you want a casual stay, we recommend business hotels.
In these cases, a business hotel is better
- I don't have time to do housework or cook during my stay
- I would like to have the linen changed and cleaned.
- During their stay, they want to feel "special" rather than "just like at home"
The difference between monthly and weekly apartments
The services offered by monthly and weekly apartments are almost the same. The only difference is the minimum contract period. Monthly apartments have a minimum contract period of one month, but there are some weekly apartments where you can sign a contract for as little as one day.
Although the legal meaning is different, there is almost no difference from the guest's perspective.
Strictly speaking, monthly apartments and weekly apartments are different business formats under the Inns and Hotels Act, but from the user's perspective there is not a big difference in the facilities or prices of the property, so it is fine to think of it as just a difference in notation.
For monthly apartments, choose "Livemax"
Monthly apartments, which can be rented immediately and used for only the period needed, are chosen by many people, both individuals and corporations.
Livemax Monthly Apartments has over 20,000 rooms in major cities across Japan, all of which are conveniently located thanks to our unique market research. We also offer special seasonal plans and campaigns, so please feel free to contact us.
