Newsletter
January 2005
There is snow on the top of Rokko as I write this. At this time of year I always wonder if Japan will ever wake up to the benefits of insulation, double-glazing and fireplaces.
Happy New Year to everyone from ffeilden. Please take a look at our website: www.ffeilden.com We added a Q & A page and made a few other changes.
No key money semi-furnished apartments.
The local property market does not cater well for people on a budget who are staying in Kobe for just a few months or a couple of years.
If you go to a regular real estate agent, chances are you will be introduced to apartments where you have to pay a large non-refundable deposit called key money. Key money is a waste of money for those who are only staying for short periods. The apartments will probably be unfurnished, and in Japan that means completely unfurnished, without even light fittings.
At the other extreme are “weekly” and “monthly mansions”. These types of mansions are not usually available through real-estate companies, there is no key money and the utilities are included in the rent. They are usually fully furnished complete with appliances, utensils and furniture. They can be expensive for their size and are often over-furnished. And they might not be to your taste.
What is lacking is something in between. Most people we speak to are looking for partially furnished apartments that come complete with major appliances, but have space for some of their own stuff. Most people do not want to pay key money, but are willing to pay refundable deposit.
Currently, we have two zero key money, partially furnished apartments in Kobe. We have prepared them both ourselves; one is in Rokko and one is in Ojikoen. Here are the details:
Rokko
105,000yen/m Zero Key Money. Two months refundable deposit
3LDK 60 sq meters
This sunny semi-furnished apartment near Rokko Cable Station has an unbelievable view from the balcony. It is 15 minutes by bus to Hankyu Rokko Station, near hiking trails and convenient for Kobe University.
View from balcony (click image for a larger representation)
Sunny living room (click image for a larger representation)
Ojikoen
90,000yen/m Zero Key Money. Two months refundable deposit
3DK 51 sq meters
This semi-furnished apartment is five minutes walk from Hankyu Ojikoen Station and Ojikoen Park. It is near a shopping arcade and about fifteen minutes from Sannomiya by bicycle.
Available from end of January 2005.