When looking for a home in Fukuoka, besides the usual deposit (shikikin, 敷金) and key money (reikin, 礼金), you may occasionally see a slightly mysterious term on the quote: "shikibiki" (敷引).
For people used to the "deposit / key money" system of the Kanto region (Tokyo), this is a trap that is very easy to misunderstand. Today let's unpack this "old-school rule", which is gradually disappearing in Fukuoka but still exists.
1. What exactly is shikibiki, and how is it different from a deposit?
Simply put, shikibiki is "the part of your deposit you know you will not get back, even before you move in".
Under the ordinary deposit system, the money you pay should be returned to you after you move out, minus repair costs. Under shikibiki, however, the landlord sets a "non-refundable" amount in advance.
- Example: A deposit of 3 months' rent, with shikibiki of 2 months.
- In reality: Even if you leave the flat as good as new, those 2 months' worth of money (the shikibiki) go straight to the landlord when you move out.
2. Is shikibiki an "all-you-can-eat" repair fee?
This is the central question: "If shikibiki has already been deducted, do I still have to pay repair costs?"
- The usual case: In common practice, shikibiki does already cover basic interior cleaning and refurbishment for normal wear and tear. But even if the actual cleaning costs less, the landlord will not refund the difference.
- The exception: If you cause serious damage (such as holes in the walls, a lingering smell of smoke or scratches from pets) and the repair cost exceeds the shikibiki amount, the management company is still entitled to claim the extra from you.
※ Note:Because each management company has its own interpretation, always ask one more question before signing: "Does this shikibiki amount cover all the basic cleaning costs when I move out?" Confirming what it covers is the way to avoid disputes over being charged twice.
💡 Is shikibiki "disappearing"?
If you are looking at modern flats managed by large developers in Fukuoka, you may never come across shikibiki at all. The current trend in Fukuoka is as follows:
- Mainstream practice: In line with the national standard, most have switched to the Kanto-style "key money / deposit" format.
- Who still uses shikibiki? Usually long-established local landlords (landowner-landlords), or management companies with a more traditional style.
Look at it another way:
Shikibiki properties may be becoming rarer, but there is no need to feel ripped off when you come across one. You can think of it as a kind of "prepaid, fixed-amount repair fee".
When choosing a home, rather than getting hung up on what a charge is called, simply calculate the "total initial outlay". If a property has shikibiki but the monthly rent is relatively low and the space is large, its "total cost over two years" may still work out much better value than a new-build flat.
Once you understand how the rules behave, you can choose the home that suits you best in Fukuoka's rental market.