🏙️ Tokyo Rental Scams — How to Spot and Avoid Them

Understanding the Risks and Identifying Common Scams

Introduction

Tokyo is one of the safest cities in the world — but when it comes to renting apartments, especially online, not everything is as secure as it looks. Over the past few years, rental scams targeting foreigners have increased dramatically. From fake apartment listings to unauthorized agents asking for “security deposits,” many newcomers lose hundreds or even thousands of dollars before they even arrive in Japan.

This guide explains how these scams work, how to recognize them, and how to find legitimate housing safely.

Chapter 1: Why Rental Scams Exist in Tokyo

Japan’s rental system is complex, and that complexity can be exploited.
For many foreigners, the challenges begin with:

• Language barriers and unfamiliar rental terms
• Limited access to Japanese guarantors
• The desire for quick, short-term housing before arrival

Scammers understand these weak points. They copy listings from legitimate real estate sites like SUUMO, HOME’S, or At Home, then repost them on fake websites or social media with slightly lower rent.

Typical messages include phrases like:

“I am the owner living overseas.”
“You can move in immediately if you pay the deposit first.”

They sound professional, often using polished English, but they disappear once the payment is made.

Chapter 2: The Most Common Rental Scam Patterns

1. Fake “Too Good to Be True” Listings

A luxurious apartment in Shibuya for ¥70,000? A modern studio in Roppongi for half the normal rent?
These are almost always scams. Scammers use stolen photos, fake addresses, and even forged property licenses to appear real.

2. Pressure to Pay Quickly

A scammer will often say:

“Another tenant is ready to pay now — if you send the deposit today, I will reserve it for you.”

Legitimate agents never demand upfront payment before showing the property or signing any paperwork.

3. Communication Only via Email or Chat

If the “landlord” refuses to meet or talk on the phone, it’s a red flag.
Real Japanese agents always provide an office address, phone number, and a 宅建業免許番号 (real estate license number).

4. Requests for International Transfers or Cryptocurrency

Payments requested via Western Union, PayPal Friends, or Bitcoin are almost always scams.
Legitimate landlords use Japanese bank accounts with the company’s official name.

5. Fake Subletting Agents

Some scammers pose as “English-speaking helpers” who will rent an apartment on your behalf. They collect “agency fees” upfront — but no apartment exists.

Chapter 3: How to Identify Fake Websites and Ads

Even skilled renters can be fooled by professional-looking sites.
Here’s how to check:

🔹 1. Verify the Domain Name

Fake websites often use strange domains like:

• tokyorenthome.xyz
• apartmenttokyo123.net
• rentjapan-official.info

Always check that the website belongs to a known company (e.g., .jp or official agency URL).

🔹 2. Search the Company’s Name and Address

Copy-paste the company name into Google Maps.
If it shows a random café or nothing at all — it’s fake.

🔹 3. Check the Images

Use Google Image Search to see if the apartment photos appear on multiple sites.
If you find the same photo on SUUMO, RealEstateJapan, and some random blog, the fake site stole it.

🔹 4. License Number Verification

Every legitimate Japanese real estate company must display a license, like:

東京都知事（4）第12345号

If no such number appears, or if the number doesn’t match the official database, walk away.

🔹 5. Email Domain Check

An official agent uses:

name@agency.co.jp
not
tokyoapartment@gmail.com

Chapter 4: Why Foreigners Are Often Targeted

Foreigners are more likely to fall victim due to a few factors:

🌍 1. Remote Searches

Many foreigners look for apartments before arriving in Japan.
Without visiting in person, it’s easier for scammers to build trust through photos and friendly emails.

💬 2. English-Language Scams

Scammers use fluent English and pretend to be “helpful landlords.”
They send documents in PDF format, sometimes even fake “keys” or “contracts.”

🏠 3. “No Guarantor Needed” Traps

Ads claiming “no guarantor, no key money, move in today” often hide fake listings.
Legitimate agencies also offer such conditions, but they require ID verification and real viewing appointments.

📅 4. Visa and Time Pressure

Many newcomers feel they must secure a home quickly before their visa or arrival date.
Scammers exploit this urgency — “pay today, move in tomorrow.”

Chapter 5: Safe Steps to Find a Real Apartment

If you’re new to Japan or don’t speak Japanese, here’s a safe, step-by-step process:

1. Use Verified Portals Only
   Stick to sites like HOME’S.
   These have licensed partners and verified listings.
2. Check for a Real Office Address
   Every legitimate agency has an actual location. Google it.
3. Ask for the License Number
   It should look like:
   東京都知事（3）第67890号
   You can verify it on the official 国土交通省 (MLIT) website.
4. Never Pay Before Signing a Contract
   In Japan, payment happens after you sign — never before.
5. Meet in Person or Video Call
   Reputable agents are happy to show the property or at least video-chat from the office.
6. Be Careful with “Friends” or Facebook Groups
   Many scammers appear in “Foreigners in Tokyo Housing” or Reddit threads.
   Only trust verified company pages.

Chapter 6: Platforms You Should Be Careful With

Not all listing platforms are equal. Some legitimate ones still allow third-party postings that could be risky.

⚠️ Use with caution:

• Craigslist Tokyo — frequent fake listings and duplicate photos.
• Facebook Marketplace — scams pretending to be “foreign landlords.”
• WhatsApp / Telegram Housing Groups — often unverified brokers.

Contracts, Payments, and How to Protect Yourself

Chapter 7: Understanding the Legitimate Rental Process in Japan

The best way to avoid a scam is to understand how the real rental system in Japan works.
Here’s what happens in a legitimate lease:

1. Viewing (内見 / naiken)
   You or your agent visit the property. No payment is made yet.
2. Application (申込書 / moushikomi-sho)
   You fill out an application form with personal info, employer, income, etc.
   Some agencies require ID (passport, residence card).
3. Screening (審査 / shinsa)
   The landlord or management company checks your background and guarantor.
   This process takes 1–3 days.
4. Contract Signing (契約 / keiyaku)
   You visit the agency’s office, review the contract (in Japanese or English), and sign.
5. Payment (支払い / shiharai)
   You pay initial costs:
   • Rent (1–2 months)
   • Deposit (敷金)
   • Key money (礼金, if any)
   • Agency fee (仲介手数料, up to 1 month)
   • Insurance & lock change fee
   💡 Important: Payments are always made to the company’s bank account, not a personal one.
6. Key Delivery (鍵渡し)
   After payment and contract completion, you receive the keys in person.

If any of these steps are skipped — especially viewing, screening, or official payment channels — that’s a red flag.

Chapter 8: Recognizing Fake Contracts and Invoices

Scammers often send fake “contracts” to seem legitimate.
Here’s how to spot them:

🧾 1. Contract Format

Japanese rental agreements are always written in vertical columns or dual-language formats (Japanese + English).
A plain English PDF with no Japanese text is suspicious.

🧾 2. Company Stamp (印鑑)

Every Japanese real estate company uses a red official seal (社判).
If the document only has a digital signature or no seal at all, it’s fake.

🧾 3. Bank Details

Look for:

• Bank name (e.g., Mitsubishi UFJ, Mizuho)
• Branch name
• Account name (会社名) — it should match the real estate company, not a person.

🧾 4. Address and License

Legitimate contracts show:

会社住所: 東京都港区六本木1-2-3
免許番号: 東京都知事（3）第45678号

If missing — stop communication immediately.

Chapter 9: Payment Safety — What to Do and What to Avoid

✅ Safe Payment Methods

• Bank transfer to a Japanese corporate account
• Credit card (only through known platforms like OYO LIFE, Airbnb, or Ken Corporation)
• Payment at the agency’s office, in person

❌ Unsafe Payment Methods

• Western Union / MoneyGram
• PayPal “Friends and Family”
• Cryptocurrency wallets
• Overseas wire to a “landlord’s” foreign bank

💬 Important Tip:

Ask for an official invoice (領収書 / ryoushuusho) — Japanese companies always issue one.

Chapter 10: How to Report Rental Scams in Japan

If you suspect you’ve been scammed or nearly scammed:

1. Stop All Communication

Don’t send further money or ID documents.

2. Collect Evidence

Save:

• Emails / messages
• Screenshots of the listing
• Payment receipts

3. Report to the Following:

• 警視庁 (Tokyo Metropolitan Police) Cybercrime Division
• Consumer Affairs Center (消費生活センター) – for general fraud
• 国土交通省 (MLIT) – for fake real estate license numbers
• Platform Support (e.g., Facebook, Airbnb, Craigslist)

4. Alert Your Embassy

Many embassies (US, UK, Philippines, etc.) have rental scam support lists and recommended agents.

5. Warn Others

Posting in expat communities (like Reddit Japan or Facebook expat groups) helps prevent others from falling victim.

Chapter 11: Red Flags During the Viewing or Contract Process

Even when meeting in person, some fake agents or intermediaries exist.
Be cautious if you see these signs:

1. The “agent” refuses to show the office or license card (宅地建物取引士証).
2. You’re told to sign before reading the full contract.
3. The property address can’t be found on Google Maps.
4. The key handover is promised before payment confirmation.
5. The “company” email uses free domains (Gmail, Yahoo).

💡 Pro tip:
Real Japanese agents always show their business card (名刺) and have a visible license displayed in the office.

Chapter 12: How to Protect Yourself Long-Term

Once you’ve secured an apartment safely, continue following these guidelines:

🏠 1. Keep Communication Transparent

Always communicate through official emails or platforms, not personal chat apps.

💰 2. Track Rent Payments

Use online banking to confirm that your monthly rent is paid to the same account each time.

📜 3. Store All Contracts Digitally

Scan or save your rental documents and receipts to cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.).

🔑 4. Don’t Sublet Without Permission

Unauthorized subletting can cause legal issues — and you might lose your deposit.

📞 5. Renew Contracts Through the Same Agency

When your lease expires, contact the same official agency or management company — not “helpers” or intermediaries online.

🧭 6. Share Experiences with Others

Join online communities for tenants in Tokyo. Sharing your experience can help newcomers recognize scams.

Chapter 13: Example — A Real Case of a Rental Scam in Tokyo

Case:
A 27-year-old foreign student found an apartment in Ikebukuro on Facebook for ¥60,000/month.
The “landlord” claimed to live in London and asked for a deposit of ¥120,000 via PayPal.
The student sent the money and received a fake contract PDF.
When she arrived in Tokyo, the address was a convenience store parking lot.

Lesson:
Always check the license, address, and payment destination before sending money.
No legitimate Japanese landlord asks for deposits before a formal contract.

Chapter 14: Tips for Newcomers — Safe & Smart Housing Search

1. Use official real estate portals or embassy-recommended agencies.
2. Always visit or video-call before payment.
3. Verify license numbers and company details.
4. Avoid listings that are “too cheap” or “available immediately.”
5. Never pay in cryptocurrency or via personal accounts.
6. Trust your instincts — if it feels off, it probably is.

Conclusion

Tokyo is an incredible place to live — clean, safe, and efficient.
But the rental process can be confusing, especially for foreigners unfamiliar with Japanese real estate culture.

By learning to recognize fake listings, understanding how real contracts work, and knowing which steps are safe, you can protect yourself and your finances.
Thousands of expats rent safely every year — and with the right knowledge, you can too.

Stay alert, stay smart, and always verify before you pay.