Sukusuku Discount is a 3-year fixed-term lease offering reduced rent on designated UR units for households cohabiting with and supporting dependent relatives under 18 or expecting mothers. Renamed from Sonomama Discount in April 2026, it features no automatic renewal, fixed rent for 3 years, and standard UR income screening.
At a glance
- Eligibility
- Households with dependent children, grandchildren, or relatives under 18, or expecting mothers
- Lease type
- 3-year fixed-term lease (no automatic renewal, early move-out subject to contract terms)
- Rent terms
- Reduced rent set per designated unit (not a uniform 20% flat discount)
Who can apply?
The UR Sukusuku Discount (すくすく割, renamed from Sonomama Discount / そのママ割 on April 1, 2026) is available to households cohabiting with and supporting dependent relatives under 18, or applicants expecting a child at the time of application.
- Expanded definition of children: In addition to biological children, qualifying dependent relatives under 18 living with you—such as grandchildren, nieces, and nephews—are included.
- Pregnancy at application: Expecting mothers qualify by providing verifying documentation (such as a copy of the Maternal and Child Health Handbook or a doctor's certificate).
- Standard UR qualifications apply: While Sukusuku Discount has no program-specific upper income limit, applicants must satisfy standard UR tenant screening (such as earning 4x monthly rent, meeting savings thresholds of 100x monthly rent, or using the advance rent payment option).
- Individual application only: Applications must be under an individual household name; corporate or company housing applications are not accepted.
Rent and lease period
Sukusuku Discount is not a monetary subsidy, but a 3-year fixed-term building lease (定期借家契約) for UR-designated individual apartment units at reduced rental rates.
- Nature of rent reduction: UR does not publish a nationwide uniform discount rate (such as 20%) or monthly savings cap. Listed prices on UR unit pages reflect the final reduced rent. Do not double-subtract discounts from the listed price.
- Fixed rent & no automatic renewal: Rent remains fixed throughout the 3-year contract. However, the lease expires after 36 months without automatic renewal. UR may offer re-contracting options 6 to 12 months prior to expiry at its discretion, but re-contracting or identical rent is not guaranteed.
- Early move-out (cancellation before 3 years): The 3-year period is the maximum lease duration, not a mandatory occupancy requirement. Early termination is permitted, but specific notice periods and settlement terms must be verified in the written lease contract.
- Comparison with Childcare Discount (子育て割): While Childcare Discount is an ordinary lease (보통차가/普通借家) with strict income upper limits and annual re-verification lasting up to 6–9 years, Sukusuku Discount offers 3 years of fixed reduced rent without annual income checks.
What to verify
Designated units are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, requiring swift completion of provisional applications and document submission.
- Timeline: After making an online provisional application (available when the "ネットで仮申込" button is displayed), main application documents must be submitted within 1 week of the following day, and the lease signed within 10 days. Only 1 unit per household can be requested.
- Required documents:
- Residence Certificate (Juminhyo): Original issued within 3 months, without My Number, listing all household members and relationships. Foreign residents must provide unredacted details (nationality, visa status, period of stay, card number).
- Qualification proof: Family registry or relationship records for dependent relatives, or pregnancy verification (maternity handbook copy / medical certificate).
- Income / Savings proof: Tax withholding slips, income certificates, or bank deposit certificates issued within 7 days for savings-based applications.
- Initial move-in costs: 2 months' deposit plus prorated rent and common utility fees for the move-in month. (No key money, agent fees, guarantor requirements, renewal fees, or initial key replacement/cleaning charges).
- Vacancy Alert Service: Eligible households can sign up for the UR Childcare & Young Couple Vacancy Notification Service. Enabling "Include Fixed-Term Leases" (定期借家を含む) alerts you to Sukusuku units with a 3-business-day priority booking window. Note that upon receiving an alert email, you must visit a UR office in person to apply.
Frequently asked questions
Does Sukusuku Discount always give a 20% rent reduction?
No. Official terms do not guarantee a uniform percentage discount (such as 20%) or a monthly cap. UR lists specified units at already reduced initial rent. Subtracting another 20% from the listed price is incorrect.
Can I qualify if I live with grandchildren, nieces, or nephews under 18?
Yes. UR's official eligibility covers dependent relatives under 18 living with you, including grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Pregnant applicants also qualify by submitting acceptable medical/maternity proof.
Does the contract renew automatically after 3 years?
No. It is a 3-year fixed-term building lease (36 months) and does not renew automatically. UR may notify you about re-contracting 6 to 12 months before expiration if eligible, but re-contracting and rent maintenance are not legally guaranteed.
Can I move out before the 3 years are up?
Yes. Official UR guidance confirms that 3 years is the maximum lease term, not a mandatory lock-in period. You can end the lease early, provided you check the notice period and termination terms in your contract.
Are there special low-income limits or annual re-examinations?
No program-specific maximum income caps or annual income re-examinations are specified for Sukusuku Discount (unlike Childcare Discount). However, standard UR minimum income or savings requirements still apply.
Compare current vacancies by area
After checking the rules, compare current vacancies and monthly totals in Tokyo, Osaka and Kanagawa.