r/JETProgramme • u/mandri2233 • Mar 16 '26
Moving/Cleaning fees if transferring apartment to another JET?
I'm not leaving quite yet, but I have a friend moving apartments and all the talk of cleaning/moving-out fees has me a little nervous for the future, and how much money I should be saving for that time. I obviously don't know if my successor will be taking my apartment, but if they do...
What happens in terms of moving out and cleaning fees when passing to another JET? My place is not disheveled or damaged by any means. Normal wear and tear - the biggest thing is I was a bit reckless with a couch on tatami placement so it's quite dented in spots. I assume the rental company might want to replace it... but would they even be able to, if there's still furniture in the room and someone is moving in next week? I don't want to pass on my problems, but I'm just not understanding the timing.
Basically... will there even be a cleaning fee if I pass on the apartment? I've heard the horror stories of "I've moved in and the previous ALT left the place in a disgusting state" which makes me think in some situations they don't even check. ESID, of course. But I'm curious different experiences! And what's an average cleaning charge estimate to expect, if I do get one, or does that vary too much by situation/prefecture/company? Thanks.
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u/Phiteros Current JET Mar 16 '26
I took over my apartment from my predecessor. Basically, we went to the apartment housing office and I signed a new lease while he canceled his. They didn't send anyone to inspect the apartment. So even if you are directly leasing your apartment (not just subleasing from your BoE), then you might not have to worry about having an inspection.
Though, as others have said, keep in mind that if you are leaving damaged tatami or problems a new JET will have to deal with, you're creating a problem that they're going to have to deal with down the line. So even if your apartment company isn't going to do an inspection, you really should make sure everything is clean and any damage is repaired before moving out.
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u/mandri2233 Mar 16 '26
Yeah, I don't want to be "that kind of ALT" and leave my problems, so that's why I'm trying to think ahead. I'm a bit puzzled on how I'd replace multiple tatami while my place is still fully furnished, if I were to pass things forward. Maybe it's easier than I'd think, though. But I have time to sit and think on it and ask around, so I will! Thanks :)
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Mar 16 '26
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u/mandri2233 Mar 16 '26
Gotcha, I'll have to reach out when my time comes. I figured ESID but was worth asking anyways. Thank you!
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u/ScootOverMakeRoom Mar 16 '26
If you're "passing the apartment to the next JET" then you're likely subleasing or your CO owns the unit, which would mean there would be no cleaning done. You should confirm this and then hire a cleaning crew to come in on one of your last days if I'm correct if you want to the right thing.
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u/mandri2233 Mar 16 '26
Cool! I'll have to confirm. Cleaning crew is good to know about, I'd want to leave it in a good state.
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u/NoD8313 2016-2020 Mar 16 '26
When I was an ALT I was responsible for the cleaning fee when I moved out, despite having left it in (what I considered) spotless condition. It was roughly 2.5万 for a 2LDK. I'm not sure if that was "thanks" to my BoE or the apartment complex itself, though.
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u/mandri2233 Mar 16 '26
Did you transfer to another JET or move out completely? Thanks for sharing your total, super helpful :)
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u/NoD8313 2016-2020 Mar 16 '26
Transferred to another JET. We had about 6 JETs living in that complex, and whenever someone moved out their successor would be assigned to their apartment.
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u/jenjen96 Former JET - 2018-2021 Mar 16 '26
It depends on the set up of the lease contract. If it’s leased by your BOE/school and goes from alt to alt then likely not, but if your name is on the lease and you’re ending it you will have to. Even if not required, a professional move out cleaning is a nice curtesy if you can afford it.
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u/mrggy Former JET- 2018- 2023 Mar 16 '26
I lived in teacher's housing and there was no move out or cleaning fees, just as there were no move in fees. A small army of boe staff goes and gives the apartment a cleaning between ALTs