When renting private rental housing, you need to contact a real-estate agent. It is a good idea to sort out your preference in advance. In many cases, you will need to have money equivalent to five to six months rent ready when signing a lease contract.

Go to a real-estate agency (fudosan-ya, an agency that introduces houses and apartments for rent) in the area you want to move in. Tell them your preferences, including size, limits on rent and distance from the nearest station, and they will present available properties that meet the requirements.
You can begin just by taking a look at property ads posted at the front of the agent, or looking magazines and the internet to search for average rent and properties currently offered in the area you want. If you are an exchange student, you may also consult the student affairs office at the university.

When renting a house or apartment, you sign a lease contract called chintai keiyaku. Contract period is usually two years.
When signing the contract, you need to have the following documents and payments ready.