Most people think about move-in costs when they rent in Tokyo. Fewer think about what happens two years later. If you are signing for one of the Meguro apartment rentals on your shortlist, it helps to know how renewal and moving out work before you commit.
A typical Japanese lease runs for two years. At the end, you can renew or leave. Many Tokyo contracts include a renewal fee (更新料), often around one month’s rent. On a 1K averaging about ¥108,000 a month in Meguro-ku, that is a real cost to plan for. Check the contract for the exact amount before you sign.
Some buildings use a fixed-term lease (定期借家契約). This type ends on a set date and is not automatically renewable. You may be able to sign a new contract, but the landlord can also say no. If a rent looks unusually low, check whether the lease is fixed term.
Most contracts require one month’s notice before you move out, and some require two. Notice is usually given in writing to the management company. Some leases also have an early cancellation penalty if you leave within the first year. Read this clause carefully if your job or visa plans might change.
When you leave, the landlord inspects the unit. Under national guidelines, normal wear and tear, such as sun-faded wallpaper or light marks from furniture, is generally the landlord’s cost. Damage beyond that, such as holes in walls, burns or heavy smoking stains, can be taken from your deposit. Take photos on move-in day and again on move-out day.
Many residents love the ward and simply move to a bigger unit nearby. Remember that a new lease means new upfront costs, often four to six months of rent. Our Meguro rent by layout guide for 2026 helps you see what the next size up will cost.
Whether you are renewing or ready for a change, compare your options early. You can explore Meguro apartment rentals by size and station, or look across Tokyo with apartments for rent in every area.
A-Realty explains renewal fees, notice periods and lease types in English before you sign, so the Meguro apartment rentals you choose hold no surprises two years later.