Submitting your rental application form does not mean the process is over. The most important step is usually the screening call from the guarantee company (hoshō kaisha, 保証会社).
For many foreign residents, this call can feel more nerve-racking than a job interview. In fact, the guarantee company is not trying to make things difficult for you; it wants to confirm that "you filled in this application form yourself" and that "you have basic communication skills". It is just a standard step in the rental process. Here are the core questions that usually come up on the call:
1. Basic identity check (always asked)
This is to guard against identity fraud. They will check the basic details on your application form, so be sure to answer accurately:
- Full name
- Date of birth
- Name and address of the property you have applied for: Keep the property details to hand. If you cannot even say where you are going to live, the screener will become suspicious.
2. Your current situation (work, study and residence status)
What the guarantee company cares about most is whether the tenant "can pay the rent reliably" and "has a stable residence status".
- If you are working: The name of your employer, your job title and a brief description of your work (e.g. IT engineer, restaurant staff).
- If you are a student: The name of your school (e.g. international student at a Japanese language school).
3. Emergency contact check
They will ask about your relationship with your emergency contact.
- Who are they? (A friend, colleague or relative.)
- ※ Key point: Be sure to let your emergency contact know in advance. If the guarantee company calls them and they hang up thinking it is a scam call, your screening may stall.
4. The hidden "language test"
This point is crucial for foreign residents. Even though it is not a formal interview, the screener will judge from the conversation:
- "If problems come up, can we communicate smoothly?"
- "Do they understand the important rules in the lease (e.g. no subletting, rubbish sorting)?"
💡 3 things to prepare to improve your chances of passing
- Keep your phone on: For two to three days after applying, be sure to answer calls from "unknown numbers" or "landlines starting with 03 / 06". If you miss one, call back as soon as possible.
- Have the property details ready: During the call, keep the flat's address, name, rent and other details to hand, so that your answers match the application form 100%.
- Have your residence card ready: Some companies will also ask about your residence status (zairyū shikaku, 在留資格) and its expiry date.
A quick reminder
Please remember that this is just one step in the process; the guarantee company will not deliberately make things hard for you. Answer sincerely and politely, and keep these three points in mind:
- No need to say more than asked: Just "answer directly" the question you are asked; the more you say, the more likely you are to slip up.
- Don't say "hai" (はい) without thinking: If you keep saying "yes" when you have not understood, and the screener realises you cannot actually communicate, it will count against your credibility. If you really have not understood, politely ask them to speak more slowly.
- Don't ask them questions back: The guarantee company asks questions according to a set procedure. If you have questions about the contract or fees (such as the details of the guarantee company's charges), ask your letting agent. Guarantee companies have many internal departments, and the screener calling you usually does not know the specifics of those matters, so asking questions back will only complicate things.
So there is only one key: "answer directly" the question you are asked.
What if you are busy when the call comes?
If you are on a train or in a meeting, politely tell them you cannot talk right now and will call back. What the guarantee company wants to see is a tenant who is "responsible and able to communicate normally".
As long as your information is genuine and you stay calm, the call usually wraps up smoothly in about 5 minutes. Good luck to everyone with passing the screening in Fukuoka and getting the keys to the room you have set your heart on!