Questions and Answers
Questions and Answers

Joining Borderless-Tokyo guest house.

How do I apply?

Please apply to Borderless-tokyo guest house basically first by email. Please write a self introduction, including the following: (full name, age, occupation and contact address, date you'd like to move in, whether or you've had any housesharing experience, etc.)

Whether you are employed or unemployed, you don't necessarily need to have a guarantor.

Note: With houseshare literally meaning oint life, it doesn't mean that everyone can do whatever they want.

Also, if someone wishes to enter the guest house, is the kind of person, who will disturb the houseshare life of the existing residents, they will not be allowed to enter. We have an obligation to the existing residents to make sure of this. Make sure that when you write your email, it is done in an appropriate style.

What is the procedure? (Interview)
After you apply by email, and a room becomes available, you will be invited to a face-to-face interview and a room viewing (You don't need to provide guarantor information at this time). When you have decided upon a room, a contract can be signed. To have the widest choice of rooms, you should be as flexible as possible when making your room requests.
What type of person is refused entry to Borderless-Tokyo?

Someone who is just looking for a lover,

People who are uncooperative,

Inconsiderate or selfish people,

People who are rude.

Generally, we mean people who are unable to accept the concept of houseshare i.e. living together, sharing everything.

On the other hand, if this idea is acceptable, then there should be no problems.

What is required to enter Borderless-Tokyo Guest House?

If you are Japanese, you will need an identification card and a copy, if a foreigner, an alien registration card and a copy. Additionally a deposit of 30000 Yen is required by both foreigners and Japanese. You can pay the 30000 Yen deposit when you decide on a date to move in and sign a contract.

How soon can I move in?
Anytime is ok, but rent is calculated after 14 days. If possible, it would be better for you to try to move by then. If circumstances change, you should contact us as soon as possible. On the day of moving in, please bring the rent for the first month.

About House Rent.

How often does the rent need to be paid?
The rent is paid 1 month in advance and is due on the 25th of each month. You should make the payment by bank transfer, so it arrives on the 25th.
What if I pay the rent late?
The rent should not be paid late. If there will be a problem with the payment, Borderless-tokyo guest house wil advise you to move out of the guest house.

Utility Expenses at Borderless-tokyo Guest House. (Gas, Electricity & Water).

How are the utility charges calculated, and how often does it need to be paid?

Utility expenses of 5000 yen are paid in advance. This should be enough to cover expenses, but at certain times of the year or when the bills are over this amount, the total cost will be divided between all residents. The amount changes, depending on season. Here are approximate costs:

Spring and fall about 5000 Yen
Summer about 7000 Yen
Winter about 8000 Yen

This varies, depending on how often the air conditioner, lights and the gas, etc. are used.

Regarding Guest House Fixtures and Fittings.

If something is broken, who is responsible?

If you break something inside the guest house, , it is your responsibility to notify the guest house manager, who will replace or repair the item (windows are calculated separately) e.g., hole was made through the sliding screen.

Guest house residents are 100% responsible for broken or damaged consumables in their own rooms.

Items that have been lent to guest house residents or things that are shared are calculated differently.

Lent items

Bicycles, which are lent to guest house residents, are the resident's responsibility. This includes theft or damage, e.g. punctures.

If the air conditioner breaks down whilst living in a guest house, , Borderless-Tokyo will be responsible for repair to a maximum cost of 30,000yen. Anything over that is the resident's responsibility.

Shared items

For example: refrigerator, washer, rice cooker and microwave oven, PC, television and video etc.

When the above items break down, the expense will be shared between the guest house residents and Borderless-Tokyo. This is regardless of how long someone has been living in the dormitory.(Except for the one who is staying under 30days.)

How is the repair cost calculated?
Borderless-Tokyo will try to provide a replacement as soon as is practically possible. For example, divided among 6 people, an item that is about 10,000 yen would cost around 1250 yen each. The exact amount will be calculated and residents will be informed by the time the next month's rent is due. Note) Borderless-Tokyo will always prepare new screen doors whenever possible.
Is the Internet connection in our room included in the rent fee?
Yes, the internet fee is included in your rent.

Moving between Guest houses(apartments).

What should I do if I wish to change rooms?
We understand you may wish to change to another room or a different location. After a minimum residency period of 6 months, as stated in the contract, you can apply to move into another house. You should give a valid reason for wishing to change rooms when you make your application. Priority will be given to residents who have been with Borderless-Tokyo for a longer period of time. Please be aware that the cost of any repairs to return your room to the state it was in when you received it will be deducted from your deposit of 30,000 yen.

When departing from Borderless-tokyo guest house.

What should I do if I want to leave?
When you wish to leave, you are required to give us an advance notice of at least 1 month. If less than 14 days notice is given, 20,000 yen will be deducted from the deposit. If 14 - 30 days notice is given, 10,000 yen will be deducted from the deposit.
When will you return my deposit?
We will try to return your deposit as soon as possible. Under some circumstances however it maybe later, because the cost of fuel and light utilities will need to be paid. Water charges are paid every 2 months, so deposits will be returned within 1 month to 2 months.

About life in the Guest House.

Is there a resident manager in the Guest House?
There is no live-in manager. Borderless-Tokyo has already decided basic rules, so life can go smoothly for all guest house residents. More detailed rules or new suggestions are discussed between all residents. We welcome suggestions and comments from all our guest house residents, so we can make things even better!
When you say 'the manager', what sort of thing does the manager do?
The manager is responsible for many things, some of which are: the maintenance of the website, bbs and mailing list; repairs to dormitories; dealing with resident's complaints; dealing with people leaving or entering the dormitory; advertising vacant rooms; remodelling of new properties acquired by Borderless-Tokyo.
If there is a problem inside the Guest House, what should be done?

It depends on the type of problem. You should check the notes above, to see if your question has been answered. Here, we discuss housemate relationship problems.

Please try to discuss the problem with the other people living in the guest house. That's the best thing to do. When the problem can't be solved, using the guest house guidelines here, please try consulting the manager.

Please do not try to force the guest house manager to ask people to leave, because of an argument. In an argument nobody is 100% right or wrong.

You should not try to demand unreasonable priorities on repair or replacement requests. The guest house manager will try to consider, prioritise and deal with all requests fairly, and without prejudice. Items most necessary to maintain a minimum standard of living will be dealt with first. Some requests may be rejected or given a lower priority. Please do not get angry if this occurs. You are welcome to buy things yourself, but it is better for all residents to share the cost, as they are living together. We should all be mature enough to live together under one roof.

Borderless-Tokyo does not have an unlimited purchashing budget.

When should I contact the manager for help?
The manager should be contacted only as a last resort, in the case of a serious problem. If there are problems, please try to solve them with your houseshare mates first. If there is a problem, or it is difficult to discuss, don't hesitate to contact the manager.
Do's and Don't s

What's the best way to go about discussing problems?

Perhaps try to raise the problem when everyone is in the common room, drinking together. If you are close with your houseshare mate, you could invite them to your room and discuss it over a cup of tea or coffee. This is a good way to go about it.

What you should not do

If you don't pay attention to the things below, you will definitely become unpopular.

Not do your cleaning duties properly. You should try to perform your cleaning duties on time.

Not try to mix with others. If you stay in your room all the time, refusing people's invitations, their feeling will not be good. Of course, if you are tired, that's ok.

You should not insult people, gossip or talk behind people's backs. Please make sure you don't do this.