Lease Cancellation Notice — Complete Guide
EN: If you want to move out of a rented room in Japan, you usually cannot just leave on the day you want — most contracts require you to give written notice a certain number of months in advance (often 1 month, sometimes 2). If you miss this deadline, you may have to pay extra rent for the notice period even after you've moved out. Always check your own contract's number — do not assume it is the same as someone else's.
やさしい日本語: 日本(にほん)で借(か)りている部屋(へや)を出(で)たいときは、好(す)きな 日(ひ)にすぐ出(で)られるわけではありません。多(おお)くの契約書(けいやくしょ)では、 「何(なん)ヶ月(かげつ)前(まえ)までに書面(しょめん)で伝(つた)える」というルールがあります (1ヶ月前が多いですが、2ヶ月前のこともあります)。この期限(きげん)を守(まも)らないと、 引(ひ)っ越(こ)した後(あと)も家賃(やちん)を払(はら)うことになる場合(ばあい)があります。 自分(じぶん)の契約書の期限を必(かなら)ず確認(かくにん)してください。
Search your contract for this term
Usually written as "◯ヶ月前までに通知". This is set individually by each contract (commonly 1–2 months) — always check your own contract's number, do not assume it matches someone else's
Some contracts require a specific form (解約通知書) mailed or submitted online; others accept a phone call followed by written confirmation. The accepted method is set by each management company — confirm with your contract or the management company (管理会社) directly
Usually the management company (管理会社) or agent (仲介業者) listed in your contract — not always the landlord (大家) directly
Some contracts (especially short-term or "free rent" deals) have an early-cancellation penalty if you leave within a certain period. Check for this clause
EN: 1) Find the "管理会社" (management company) or contact listed in your contract — this is usually who handles move-out, not the landlord personally. 2) Ask them directly which method they require: mail, fax, email, or their own online form. 3) Get confirmation that your notice was received (a reply email, receipt, or return postcard) — do not rely on just sending it once with no confirmation.
やさしい日本語: 1) 契約書に書いてある「管理会社」または連絡先(れんらくさき)を探(さが)す。 たいてい大家さん本人(ほんにん)ではなく管理会社が窓口(まどぐち)です。2) どの方法(郵送(ゆうそう)・ FAX・メール・自社(じしゃ)のオンラインフォームなど)で送(おく)ればいいか、直接(ちょくせつ) 聞(き)く。3) 通知(つうち)が届(とど)いたことの確認(かくにん)(返信(へんしん)メールや 受領書(じゅりょうしょ)など)を必ずもらう。送(おく)りっぱなしにしない。
EN (fill in your details):
解約通知書 (Lease Cancellation Notice) [提出日 / Date of submission]: 2026年◯月◯日 [管理会社名 / Management company] 御中 物件名: [Building name / Room number, e.g. ◯◯マンション 203号室] 契約者氏名: NGUYEN VAN A 契約日: [契約開始日 / Contract start date] 上記物件について、下記のとおり解約いたします。 退去予定日: 2026年◯月◯日 (Planned move-out date) 以上、よろしくお願いいたします。 [署名 / Signature] [電話番号 / Phone number] [現住所 / Current address]
やさしい日本語のポイント:
Under Japanese civil law, notices generally take effect once they reach (到達) the other party, not when sent — and most lease contracts follow this same principle for the notice period, unless your contract specifically states a different rule (e.g. postmark date). Mailing something 1 month before your target date may not be enough if it takes days to arrive — send with margin, and check your own contract's wording to be sure.
(契約書通りの予告期間分の家賃が発生する場合がある). This is one of the most common and costly mistakes.
Even if you tell your agent in person or by phone, many contracts require the WRITTEN notice to start the countdown. Always follow up in writing and get confirmation.
, common in contracts with discounted first-month rent or "free rent" campaigns — leaving too early can trigger an extra fee.
— canceling your lease does not automatically stop electricity/gas/water contracts or update your registered address. Handle those separately (see the 転入届/転出届 guides).
*Provided free by Japan Paperwork. Not legal advice. For individual visa/legal questions, consult a licensed 行政書士 (immigration specialist). / 個別の在留資格の相談は行政書士(専門家)へ。*
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