Tenant screening for sharehouse? Here’s what managers are watching for

So, you’ve gathered every available bit of information, visited the sharehouse, and decided that it was a perfect fit for you. Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean you can move in right away. To secure your spot, you must pass the selection process implemented by the folks who manage the place.
You may be wondering: what’s the purpose of all this?
Put simply, it’s the manager’s job as a lessor to ensure that all prospective residents have enough resources to pay their share of the rent. Frequent rent arrears undermine the order within the sharehouse community. In addition, sharehouses are a place for communication and connection among people. It is the lessor’s responsibility to accept only those who can adapt to the unique environment of the sharehouse. In essence, the purpose of tenant screening is to maintain the order and atmosphere of the sharehouse.

Important areas you should never overlook

The managers will be assessing you based on two criteria. Firstly, your ability to pay rent which is the most important point in tenancy agreements. Secondly, your ability to adapt to the sharehouse environment. Unlike ordinary rent properties, you’ll have to pass the unique selection process to live in a sharehouse. We’ve organized information on how you’ll be evaluated below.

Salary

As mentioned above, one of the most important things to be examined is your ability to pay rent consistently on time. Several people failing to pay rent can be detrimental to the community atmosphere. Thus, it would be wise to apply only after securing enough funds to pay the designated rent.

Occupation

Another important factor is your job. Depending on what you do for a living, your daily routine may be totally different from other residents’. This can not only cause friction among residents, but also erode the foundation for communication. However, having a different routine won’t automatically disqualify you in the screening, so it’s best to ask the person in charge.

Personality

Sharehouses are a special environment where several people from different backgrounds live under the same roof. It takes some courage and effort to get acclimated to a pre-existing community. In any case, it would be preferable to have an outgoing personality. A house full of uncooperative occupants would completely defeat the purpose of sharing it. The managers are looking for people who are cooperative and can associate well with others.

Gender and Age

If a female decides to live in a male dominant sharehouse, or if someone in their 40’s decided to live in a sharehouse full of 18 year olds, it is most likely to create a feeling of incongruity among the residents. During the selection process, the managers will take into consideration the male to female ratio, as well as any generation gaps. Before applying, make sure you have a general idea of the gender and age group of people already living there.

Personal goals

Many sharehouses have their own concepts or themes. There are sharehouses for entrepreneurs or creators with high ambitions, sharehouses that support those who come to Tokyo in search of their dreams, sharehouses for rising stars in the entertainment industry, etc. If you’re applying for a sharehouse with a specific concept, take a moment to make sure that it fits with your personality and aspirations.

Be yourself, pass the interview and enjoy a pleasant experience

Even if you’ve spent weeks or months to find what seems like the perfect sharehouse, it wouldn’t mean anything if you failed the screening process. Use the tips above to prepare. However, you should never pretend to be someone that you’re not. You can’t keep misrepresenting yourself all the time in everyday life. Also, a fellow resident that can’t be trusted would mean a terrible experience for everybody. It’s important, both for you and for others, that you find a place that can accept you for who you are. We hope that you will find a perfect, fun and comfortable sharehouse.