Common Problems with Rental Housing: Case 2

In this article, we’ll talk about some of the common problems encountered with rental housing in Japan.

You can also check out “Common Problems with Rental Housing: Case 1” from the link below.

Tenant A:【I am 2 months behind in my rent due to unexpected expenses.】

I have been unable to pay my rent for 2 months because I had to pay gift money at a friend’s wedding and some other unexpected expenses.
During that time, the landlord tried to call me a few times but I didn’t answer.

I checked my contract and there was a clause about termination of the lease, and now I’m afraid I might get evicted.

Agency:【Falling behind on your rent can lead to termination of your lease.】

Late or non-payment of rent is a breach of the rental contract. Whether or not it leads to an eviction notice and the actual notice period usually depends on the degree of trust between the landlord and the tenant.

Obviously, having a good, trusting relationship with your landlord does not justify falling behind on your rent. You should always pay your rent according to the terms of your contract, regardless of your personal circumstances.

Note that it is very rare for a landlord to serve an eviction notice after the first instance of non-payment. Even if your contract has such a clause, there are usually ways to avoid immediate eviction.

In the case above, the tenant has been behind for 2 months, and has even ignored communications from the landlord, so there is obviously a breakdown of trust. The tenant should immediately contact the landlord to explain his or her situation, and they should come up with a plan on how and when to pay the overdue amount.

If the landlord still decides to serve an immediate eviction notice, then it is probably best to consult with a lawyer or legal professional.

Tenant A:【I’m living in a unit where pets are not allowed. Am I allowed to keep a tropical fish aquarium?】

My contract states that I’m not allowed to keep pets in my room. It is my belief that this means I cannot keep dogs or cats, so I decided to get a tropical fish aquarium. But I was later informed that tropical fish are also not allowed. Can this become grounds for eviction? What should I do?

Agency:【Check the details of your lease contract.】

It is important to understand and remember the details of your contract, not just the provisions regarding pets, but all activities that are not permitted. Your contract may indicate that pets refer specifically to dogs and cats, or it may include all other small animals and aquarium fish.

In the case above, the tenant decided to keep tropical fish without checking their contract or confirming with the management company, and this can lead to trouble with their landlord.

If it is the case that tropical fish are indeed prohibited in the contract, the tenant should immediately try to find a new owner for the fish, or find some other way to ensure that they are not in breach of their contract. This will probably keep them from being served an eviction notice.