The University of Tokyo
Website for International Students
【Guarantor office will be closed from Tue. 2024/04/30 to Thu. 2024/05/2】
The guarantor office is currently accepting applications by post (online application beforehand) . However, you can consult us in person at our office if you are in a hurry. Please contact us by Email in advance if you would like to visit the office in person.
Almost all apartment leases in Japan require a guarantor (rentai hoshonin), a person who co-signs the lease to share liability (jointly and severally) with the tenant for any debts to the lessor. Generally, Japanese students ask a family member (parent, sibling, etc.) to serve in this role, but since international students often do not have someone who they can ask to be a guarantor, the University of Tokyo may act as your guarantor if you meet certain eligibility requirements.
Note:
In cases where it is mandatory to join a guarantor company specified by the realtor when signing a lease contract for student accommodations, The University of Tokyo generally do not provide joint guarantees.
【Regarding the renewal of your lease contract】You need to reapply for the University Guarantor System again when you renew the lease contract. Please note that your guarantee is NOT automatically updated.
Applications take around 7 days to process.
Apply at least two weeks before your planned move-in date.
■ Eligibility Requirements
(1) Must Enroll at the University of Tokyo as an undergraduate, graduate or research student; also prospective students to enroll into the University of Tokyo who require the guarantor service in order to commute to campus before school starts.
* Researchers / post docs are not eligible for the system.
(2) Must be in possession of the status of residence "Student"
(3) Must enroll in Comprehensive Renters’ Insurance for Foreign Students Studying in Japan
(You will receive a payment slip for enrolling in this insurance after submitting your online application for the university guarantor. Only after your entry to Japan. )
Brochure: Japanese English Chinese Korean Vietnamese
Web page (in Japanese only)
(4)The only people you can share housing with are your spouse, child, or other international students of the University of Tokyo who fulfill requirements 1-3 above.
・About the University Guarantor System (for Students)
NOTE: Before your application, please ask your realtor/owner of the apartment if you can use UTokyo guarantor system or not for your lease contract. Please provide your agent with this document below for their understanding our system. If enrollment in the realtor's designated guarantor company is required for your lease contract, your application is basically unaccepted, but you can consult us if necessary.
【For Realtors and Landlord】(Japanese only)
・About the University Guarantor System (for Realtors and Landlords)
・Guarantee of Tenancy (Writing Sample for Realtors and Landlords)
■ Application Procedure
Please read the following【Application Procedure】carefully, and confirm your necessary documents in the
【Checklist】, then apply through【Online Application Form】.
If you renew the lease contract and guarantee, please prepare for the necessary documents and apply via
online application form below.
★ Application Procedure
・Checklist
UTokyo will not use the personal information of those applying for UTokyo Guarantor System for any purpose other than acting as their guarantor.
UTokyo will not disclose the personal information to any third party without the consent of students, unless required by law.
You can download the necessary forms from the following links.
・Guarantee of Tenancy (Contract starting date:from April 1, 2022)
・Guarantee of Tenancy (Writing Sample)
・Written Oath (for flat sharing with International student(s) at UTokyo only)
・Letter Requesting Guarantor Cover Before Enrollment at the University of Tokyo
(Only if you cannot submit Admission Permit/Acceptance Letter)
*1) The UTokyo guarantor service procedures involve your personal information like your lease contract and other information of the renter. Therefore it is required that the renter himself/herself come to our office and do the procedure for security reasons. However if the renter has a legitimate reason not to be able to come to the office physically, we shall receive an application from a third person with a letter of proxy with the renter's signature on it. The third person has to be someone who is affiliated with the University of Tokyo.
【For those who have not entered Japan yet】
You can apply for UTokyo Guarantor System via online webform outside Japan.
However, it is required for you to submit the original Guarantee of Tenancy which has signature/seal of yours and the realtor/the owner’s sign and seal, in the next step after your application. Moreover, you cannot pay the insurance premium outside Japan. For those reasons, please proceed your paperwork and enrollment in the insurance related the university guarantor system after your entry.
【Important notes】
The University of Tokyo does not act as a guarantor for those who have graduated or withdrawn from the University, and who have lost the residence status: "Student". In that case, please inform the office of such changes by submitting "Notice of Lease Termination" from the link below. Please submit the Notice also when you move to another apartment with no need of guarantor.
If you wish to rent the same apartment after graduation (e.g. in case you find your job in Japan after graduation), please find an alternative guarantor. In that case you must notify your agent/landlord that you will change your guarantor. (Using a guarantor company instead of university will be one of options. For details, please consult your agent/landlord.)
Even if one of the roommates lose the status "Student", UTokyo cannot act as your guarantor.
■ Termination of the University Guarantee
Please submit Notice of Termination （Online form）below and necessary documents as instructed to International Student Welfare Team when you graduate/withdraw from UTokyo, or relocate to an apartment with no need of the university guarantor system.
After submitting the Notice of Termination form, you will receive an auto reply titled 'Submit (upload) your documents' ,where 'Necessary Documents' and 'Where to Submit' will be provided. Please upload the necessary documents as instructed. In case you do not receive an auto reply, please let us know.
・Notice of Termination (online form)
・A copy of your student ID card
・A copy of your residence card (both sides)
・A document which certifies the move-out date （e.g. Letter of Termination, E-mail sent from your agency, the next lease contract, return flight ticket）
・A copy of your bankbook which shows the name of bank and its branch, type of account, holder's name, and account number and the cover page. (if you would get refunded. Note: You can get reimbursed the remaining insurance fee only within the valid period, limited to Japanese bank.)
■ You can use a guarantor company affliated from UTokyo CO-OP only if you become a resercher/staff/faculty member in UTokyo after your graduation.
Rent Guarantee Service:the university CO-OP Anshin Sumai-kun
Note: When sending the documents including your personal informaion to CO-OP, make sure to set a password to the files.
■ Offices in charge
・Hongo Campus: International Student Welfare Team
・Komaba Campus: Center for Global Education (Komaba Branch)
・Kashiwa Campus: Center for Global Education (Kashiwa Branch)
International Student Walfare Team, Student Scholarships and Welfare Group
Phone: 03-5841-0264 /3527 (Weekdays 10:00-17:00)
Email: guarantor.adm@gs.mail.u-tokyo.ac.jp
<Last updated January 4, 2024>
