"tempusmaster" <lem.fugitt@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1123045215.683571.116920@g43g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> Nick,
>
> It depends on how long you plan on staying in Tokyo. If it's relatively
> short term - say from a week to perhaps a month or two, your best bet
> would be one of the guest house companies that cater to foreigners. The
> most well known is Sakura-House, but there are others.
>
> If you plan on living in Tokyo for a few months up to two to three
> years, then go with companies that own and operate their buildings
> (avoid the rental agencies if at all possible). Tokyo Rent has an
> excellent reputation, Sakura House also offers long term apartment
> leases to foreigners, and Fontana is also pretty well known. Most of
> these companies will rent to a foreigner without requiring key money,
> agency fees, or a guarantor. They do require some verification of
> employment, or visa status, and of course a security deposit
>
> If you think you will live in Tokyo for longer than two years, then it
> might be worth the hassle to go with a regular Japanese rental agency.
> If you are fluent in Japanese, or have a trusted Japanese friend that
> is good at negotiating, you can usually wring some concessions out of
> the landlord. One word of caution: most Japanese women, especially girl
> friends, are horrible at negotiating with landlords - it's a cultural
> thing.
>


This is great advice and will definitely help me initially. Thankyou very
much .I have looked at Tokyo Rent and Sakura House and Im definitely
thinking about using their services. You are certainly right about the
girlfriend and her negotiation powers. Its not in her nature to deal with
things like this and it tends to stress her out unecessarily. Funny
sometimes!
I will be intending to stay for at least 3-4 years as I have already secured
a job. I now have all the fun of the visa situation.
Do you have any good advice on this? I have all the relevant info i need to
send to immigration to get my certificate  and I was wondering what a normal
turnaround would be.
Many thanks again

Nick