UR Housing Application Guide: Provisional, Formal & Contract Steps

The Truth About UR 'Provisional Contracts': Official Steps Are Provisional, Formal & Contract

When looking into UR rental housing, you may encounter informal terms like "making a provisional contract." However, in official UR regulations, there is no such stage as a provisional contract.

The official application flow is strictly divided into 3 distinct steps: Provisional Application (仮申込) → Formal Application (本申込) → Lease Contract (ご契約).

Legal Differences Between Provisional, Formal Application & Lease Contract

Provisional and formal applications are not lease contracts. They reserve the apartment and review tenant qualifications. Legal lease obligations and rent charges only begin when you pay initial costs and sign the lease agreement during the ご契約 stage.

The D+1 Dual Timeline Starting Upon Application: 1-Week & 10-Day Deadlines

The moment you click the provisional application button, a strict timer begins. Two deadlines start running simultaneously from the day after your provisional application (D+1).

2026 Official Timeline & Apartment Room Viewing Scope

• D0 (Application Day): Provisional application submitted (reserves room in first-come-first-served rentals).
• D+1 to Within 1 Week (Room Viewing & Formal Application): Borrow keys from the management office to view the room (generally 1 visit) and submit required documents (本申込) to the UR office.
• D+1 to Within 10 Days (Lease Contract Signing): Pay initial fees at a bank and complete the lease contract (ご契約) at a UR branch.
• Move-in Start Date: Pick up keys and move in (rent starts accruing from this date).

Beware of Outdated Online Information vs Current Rules

Older blog posts online may mention obsolete timelines like "1 week for viewing, 1 week for documents, 1 week for contract." Under current 2026 UR guidelines, deadlines are shortened to 1 week for document submission and 10 days for contract completion. Relying on old information can cause automatic cancellation after 10 days.

Scope Reserved by Provisional Application & How to Apply

In first-come-first-served housing, a provisional application holds the room queue so another applicant cannot reserve it. However, it only holds your queue position—it is not an approval of tenant eligibility.

Single Household 1-Application Limit & Apartment Change Rules

UR enforces a strict one application per household rule. Applicants cannot create multiple online accounts or hold multiple rooms simultaneously to compare them. To change rooms, you must cancel your current application and re-apply for the new room.

In-Person Branch vs Online Application & Overseas Reality

• Branch Application: Apply in person at a UR sales center. (Phone/email are for inquiries only, not room reservations)
• Online Application: Click ネットで仮申込 on the UR room page. SMS authentication is required.
• Overseas Application Reality: While clicking the online button from abroad is technically possible, UR requires a registered domestic Japanese phone number and address. Because the 7-day and 10-day timers start immediately, you should only apply when your travel, residence registration, and contract visit schedules are locked in.

Canceling Provisional Application, Withdrawal & Contract Termination

• Canceling Provisional Application: Before formal application, you can cancel at any time with zero cancellation fees.
• Withdrawing After Formal Application: If withdrawing after document submission but before contract signing, inform the UR office immediately by phone.
• Contract Termination: After signing the lease contract, it is treated as a legal lease cancellation subject to daily pro-rated rent and termination procedures.

Formal Application Required Documents & Eligibility Review

Formal application is an official qualification check verifying your income, visa status, and family records against UR standards.

Certificate of Residence (Juminhyo Original) vs Photocopies

The Japanese administrative term 住民票の写し (Juminhyo no Utsushi) is often misunderstood as a photocopy. In Japanese law, 写し means an official certified copy (original transcript) issued by the city hall. UR requires an original Juminhyo issued within the last 3 months.

Foreign Resident Juminhyo Requirements & My Number Omission

When requesting your Juminhyo at the ward office:

1. Must Include: Full name, relationship, address, nationality, visa status, period of stay, and Residence Card number.
2. Must Omit: Do NOT include your Individual Number (マイナンバー, My Number).

Income Verification Documents by Occupation

• Employed Persons: Previous year's withholding tax slip (源泉徴収票) and taxation certificate. If employed under 1 year, submit UR-specified income certificate + employee ID copy.
• Prospective Employees: Official job offer letter + UR-specified income certificate.
• Self-Employed: Original tax payment certificate (No. 2).

3 Alternative Qualification Routes When Income Is Insufficient

If your personal income falls below standard requirements, you can use these alternative qualification options.

1-Year Upfront Rent Advance Payment System

Paying 1 to 10 years of rent and common fees upfront completely waives the income verification requirement.

• Required Funds: Move-in month pro-rated rent/common fees + 2 months deposit + 1 year advance rent & common fees (approx. 14 months of total funds needed).

100x Monthly Rent Savings Qualification

Submitting a bank balance certificate showing JPY savings equal to 100 times the monthly rent (issued within 7 days).

Combined Income, Savings & Rent Subsidies

If your personal income meets at least 50% of the requirement, you can combine income/savings with co-habitating family members or receive family rent subsidies.

Foreign Residents & Working Holiday Application Guide

Working Holiday Visa Status & UR Eligibility

Working Holiday visas fall under "Designated Activities" mid-to-long-term resident status (over 3 months). Therefore, Working Holiday holders are fully eligible to apply for UR housing.

Misconceptions About 1-Year Advance Payment & Safe Order

Some blogs claim that Working Holiday holders must pay 1 year upfront. This is incorrect. Advance payment is simply an alternative for those without local income proof. Working Holiday holders with job offers or savings can sign standard monthly lease contracts.

Recommended Safe Sequence: Secure Initial Housing → Register Local Address & Get Juminhyo → Confirm Qualification Method → Apply Provisionally

Lease Contract Signing, Initial Cost Payment & Key Pickup

After passing qualification review, sign the contract within 10 days of D+1.

Initial Fee Breakdown & Payment Slip Method

Initial costs consist of 2 months deposit + pro-rated rent and common fees for the move-in month. Key money (Reikin), agent fees, renewal fees, and guarantor fees are 0 yen. Payment is made at a bank using UR payment slips (納付書) prior to contract signing, and the receipt is presented at the UR office.

Personal Stamp, Identity Verification & Online Explanation

If applying in person with photo ID (Residence Card, Driver's License), seal certificates may be waived. While some UR offices offer online contract explanations, in-person attendance is required to complete paper contracts.

Common Myths and Facts About UR Housing Applications

Useful Japanese Phrases to Inquire UR Offices

仮申込の後、本申込書類の提出期限はいつまでですか。
What is the deadline for submitting formal application documents after provisional application?

契約時に必要な初期費用は、いつまでにどの方法で支払いますか。
By when and how should initial fees be paid prior to contract signing?

住民票はマイナンバー記載なし、続柄と在留資格の記載ありで足りますか。
Is a Juminhyo without My Number but including relationship and visa status sufficient?

収入証明の代わりに「家賃等の一時払い制度」を利用できますか。
Can I use the 1-year advance rent payment system instead of income proof?

家賃等の一時払いを促進する場合、初期費用は合計いくらになりますか。
What will be the total initial cost when using 1-year advance rent payment?

内覧の鍵はどの管理サービス事務所で借りることができますか。
Which management service office handles room viewing keys?

本申込後に辞退する場合、手続はどのように行いますか。
How should I proceed if I wish to withdraw after formal document submission?

入居開始可能日は、契約時にどの範囲で選択できますか。
What range of move-in start dates can I choose during contract signing?