If you’re planning on relocating to Sapporo or for an extended period of time, you’ll need to find suitable accommodation. Housing can be relatively expensive in Japan, so renting is a popular choice for expats and travelers.
How Can You Find the Perfect Accommodation to Rent in Sapporo?
According to ‘Find Hokkaido Agents’, Sapporo is the largest city in Hokkaido, and the majority of the Hokkaido real estate is located there. For this reason, competition is fierce among renters, and you’ll need to act fast if you find a property that you like.
There is a wide range of accommodation options in Sapporo and this can make the perfect housing for your needs difficult. To make things as simple as possible for you, here are some top tips for finding the best accommodation in Sapporo.
Consider Your Needs
You won’t be able to find suitable accommodation if you’re not even sure what you need or want. Define what your essentials are when it comes to accommodation to narrow down your search.
For example, do you need a spare bedroom for when family and friends visit, or is a small one-bed apartment spacious enough for you? Are you an avid chef who wants a large kitchen space to cook in or are you keen on having an outdoor space on your property?
Identify Your Budget
Before you can even begin to search for Sapporo accommodation, youll need to define your budget. This enables you to figure out exactly how much you can afford to spend on rent each month.
The average price of rent in Sapporo is around 52,000 JPY (390 USD), but the monthly rental prices can vary depending on the size and exact location of the property. If you want a garden, garage, or parking space, you should expect to pay more for your monthly rent.
Book In-Person Viewings
If you’re searching for properties in Sapporo before you actually travel to Japan, in-person viewings can be difficult. However, it’s always a good idea to take a walk around a property before signing a long-term tenancy agreement.
You might want to arrange a short-term (one or two months) lease for one accommodation while you’re settling into Sapporo and then book further viewings to find suitable long-term accommodation once you’re there. This way, you know exactly what you’re signing up for before agreeing to a long tenancy.
The other alternative is to ask the real estate agents to take videos of the properties you’re interested in renting. Virtual viewings allow you to see the properties in action.
Don’t Hesitate to Place an Offer
Because Sapporo is such a popular area in Japan, the competition for apartments and houses is rife. Properties can go off the market within days of being listed, so if you find a property you love, place your offer as soon as possible!
The landlord will ask you when you can move into the property and they might ask for references from a previous landlord to confirm that you’re a reliable tenant.