I'm about to sign a lease for an apartment in Osaka and I have some concerns about a clause regarding flooring damage.
When I viewed the apartment, I noticed some existing damage to the flooring and asked about repairs.
The owner explained that the original flooring material is no longer available, so they used a filler for repair as they didn't have the budget to replace the whole floor.
Now, I'm worried about what happens if I accidentally damage the flooring during my tenancy.
The contract mentions repair costs per square meter for different flooring types (e.g., 20,000 yen/sqm for flooring replacement, 7,200 yen/sqm for floor tile replacement),
but it doesn't clearly state whether I'll be responsible for just the damaged area or the entire floor.
(The home is around 50sqm, so changing everything would be quite expensive)
I'm concerned that due to the unavailability of the original flooring, any damage might lead to me being charged for replacing the whole floor, which would be a huge expense.
I've asked the real estate agent for clarification and to negotiate a clause on the contract, but they haven't been very helpful. I think having a clear clause on the contract is mandatory to avoid future disputes.
Has anyone else encountered a similar situation? What are my rights in this case? Should I insist on a clearer clause in the contract, or should I consider looking for another apartment? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
by Key_Post9255