UR: Tokyo's Best Kept Housing Secret for Foreigners

The Urban Renaissance (UR) Agency, Tokyo’s answer to affordable, accessible housing, offers a model that could be, perhaps, the linchpin for urban housing issues worldwide.

Table of Contents

1. What is UR?

2. Why UR is a Game Changer (Especially for Foreigners)

3. My UR Application Experience

4. UR Apartments You Can Get Right Now

1. What is UR?

Japan's Post-World War II period bore witness to devastating urban decay and housing shortages. Cities were heavily bombed, infrastructure was dilapidated, and there was an urgent cry for housing solutions. The Japan Housing Corporation was birthed in 1955 by the government in response to this demand, laying the groundwork for what would become the Urban Renascence (or UR for short) Agency. Its mission was clear: Regenerate the decimated urban areas and provide housing solutions suited to a rapidly industrializing Japan.

Aerial view of Tokyo after the 1945 bombings

The project started as a means to rebuild Japan as quickly as possible, with Tokyo being the main focus. Therefore, UR started building massive concrete blocks that could each house tens of thousands of people. However, as cities rebuilt quicker than anyone anticipated, UR shifted focus. The emphasis shifted to quality over mere quantity, and the understanding that housing was a conduit for human connection, societal growth, and urban regeneration.

Today, UR stands as a government-affiliated institution committed to shaping urban landscapes in Japan, balancing the needs of the modern era with the ethos of community-building and environmental sustainability.

A UR Housing estate in Katsushika, Tokyo

The UR Model: Not Just Housing but Community Building

What separates UR from traditional council or subsidized housing found in other nations is its holistic approach. UR properties aren’t just blocks of buildings, but often come with shared spaces, parks, and retail zones. There's a tacit acknowledgment that housing is not just about roofs and walls but about creating spaces where communities can flourish.

Additionally, the transparency of the UR system reduces red tape, eliminates the middleman, and allows for flexibility that caters to a range of tenants, from young professionals to families.

Council Housing vs. UR: A Study in Contrasts

A poorly maintained council block outside of London

While council housing in many countries has been criticized for creating isolated "ghettos", pushing residents to the peripheries of cities, and often being under-maintained, UR stands apart. Its properties, often centrally located, allow residents to be part of the urban tapestry, rather than estranged from it. Additionally, while many council housing projects suffer from stigmatization and are viewed as last-resort options, UR developments are sought-after, with a reputation for safety, quality, and modernity.

Is the UR Model Replicable?

Cities like London, New York, and Sydney face escalating housing prices, pushing middle and lower-income individuals to the fringes. The need for a solution like UR, which integrates affordability with urban living, has never been clearer.

The allure of the UR model isn’t merely in its buildings but its philosophy. By adopting an approach that emphasizes community, accessibility, and quality, other nations could overhaul their housing structures to provide not just homes but thriving environments for their citizens.

Countries struggling with inefficient council housing can take a page out of Tokyo's UR playbook. By focusing on central locations, incorporating green spaces, and offering transparency in the rental process, cities worldwide can revitalize their urban landscapes.

The Tokyo model offers a glimpse into the future, a future where urban housing isn't a luxury but a right, and where the line between the heart of the city and its outskirts isn't drawn by one's income but by choice.

However, there is one huge hurdle council projects often face on the western hemisphere that UR does not face: While cities like New York or London face rigorous zoning laws and strong powerful NIMBY organizations around any attractive area, Japan’s zoning laws are designed to be unaffected by NIMBYs. Hence, if the government owns the land, UR is free to build affordable housing on it.

If zoning laws do not change in said countries, a social housing effort as successful as UR will likely not be able to exist.

2. Why UR is a Game Changer (Especially for Foreigners)

As many of you are aware, foreigners seeking accommodation in Tokyo face an uphill battle. You often grapple with issues such as the requirement of having Japanese a guarantor, excessive key money (a non-refundable bonus for the landlord), steep agency fees, and not to mention, outright rejections based on your non-Japanese status. These challenges can be demoralizing, costly, and serve as barriers to those wishing to make Tokyo their home.

However, UR does by law not discriminate against anyone, and have multiple other benefits:

1. Transparent and No-Fee System: Unlike the conventional route where multiple parties - a real estate company, a lessor, and a property manager - are involved, UR handles everything. This integrated approach means that tenants, including foreigners, aren't required to pay the conventional brokerage fee, significantly reducing the cost of securing an apartment.

2. Assured Non-Discriminatory Practices: UR, as a public agency, adheres to a strict policy against any discriminatory practices. All applicants, regardless of their nationality or background, are treated equally. This ensures that foreigners have a fair and equal opportunity to rent an apartment, making UR a preferred choice for those who want a seamless and discrimination-free renting experience.

3. The "Four なし (No)" Advantage: One of the primary allures of UR housing is its famed “four No” - no key money, no brokerage fee, no guarantor or associated fees, and no renewal fees. Simply put, a tenant’s initial financial outlay is drastically reduced.

4. Discounts for Parents, Young People and Caretakers: UR introduces multiple rental plans, including discounts for child-rearing families, discounts for young tenants below 35 years of age, and those who choose to live close to their families. These schemes provide financial relief to tenants, catering to diverse life stages and circumstances (more info here [In Japanese]).

5. Modern Renovations and Partnerships: UR doesn't let its properties age gracelessly. Many have been tastefully renovated, and there are collaborations with brands like MUJI and IKEA, ensuring homes are not only functional but stylish.

   

6. A Green Embrace: Many UR properties prioritize green spaces, making them particularly attractive in the concrete jungle of Tokyo. The emphasis on parks and separation of pedestrians from vehicles ensures a serene and safe environment.

   

7. Seismic Safety: Tokyo lies in an earthquake-prone zone. With about 99% of UR buildings having undergone seismic diagnosis, they ensure safety is paramount.

3. My UR Application Experience: Fast, Professional, and Transparent

Navigating Tokyo's dense real estate market can seem like an overwhelming task, but my recent experience with UR has been nothing short of revelatory. Here's a glimpse into my journey with UR, which might just inspire you to consider it as your next housing solution.

From Digital Search to Reality

The journey began when I stumbled upon a listing on the UR website. The comprehensive digital interface made it easy to understand the layout, location, and amenities of the apartment, inviting me to make an appointment to view it. I was pleasantly surprised by the swift response, and within days, I was walking into the potential future home.

Professionalism and Respect

On the day of the viewing, the UR agent exemplified the epitome of professionalism. Not only was she well-prepared to answer any queries, but she also ensured we were comfortable, offering us water and patiently guiding us through the property. The freedom she afforded us, allowing us to explore the space at our own pace without any pressure, was commendable.

The Application: A Breeze

I had heard daunting tales of tedious documentation and cumbersome processes involved in securing a rental in Tokyo. However, the UR experience was refreshingly simple. Armed with basic documents - an income statement, my Hanko stamp, a residence certificate, and identification proof - I felt well-prepared. There were no hidden surprises or last-minute demands. The transparency of the entire process truly set UR apart.

Swift Decisions and the Joy of Acceptance

The immediacy of the UR model is indeed its strength. Post the viewing, the decision-making process was swift. Within a week of my initial call, I was signing the papers, making the apartment my own.

If the place is open on the UR website, there is no lottery or any specific criteria; as long as one has the requisite income and documentation, the apartment can be yours if you're the first to accept it.

Looking Ahead

As I eagerly await the moving day, I am struck by the efficiency of the UR model. I'll be moving in a month from now, with the rent start date set for the 20th of this month. The anticipation is palpable, and as I pen down this experience, I realize that UR has not only given me a new home but also a renewed belief in the potential of organized, transparent, and professional urban housing.

4. UR Apartments You Can Get Right Now

Link to UR Housing

Disclaimer: Housing stock changes daily so the apartments below may no longer be available.

2nd Disclaimer: Pear means None.