Greetings Everyone,
I'm making this post because as the title suggests, my situation is a bit weird and I have yet to find a thread that's covered it all.
I moved into my apartment in 2017 and I will be moving in 2026. I've heard about the laws and how after 4 years or so, you can't be charged a large some for natural wear and tear. However, I'm concerned because around 2022, a new realtor purchased my building. When I moved in, it was owned by CR (Common Realtor). In 2021, NR (New Realtor) bought the building and everything slowly set in stone in 2022, including the change of name to the property. I did have to sign a contract with the NR.
Nothing is my room was touched, save for the mandatory updating of the fire alarm and the escape rope installation.
Will my time in the apartment be "reset" due to my agreeing to live under a new realtor, or will I still be legally protected by the common law in regard to the duration I've spent in the room?
I've done a pretty good job at maintaining this apartment without any help from both realtors.
Damage Worries (1)
When CR owned the apartment, my microwave broke down within months of me moving in. They were playing games with the replacement so I just set it to the side and depended on a convection oven gifted by a friend and then eventually upgraded to a Multi-cooker. I'm worried NR will try and pin that on me. I still have the broken microwave and plan to clean it and place it right back in the original spot.
Damage Worries (2)
I recently had an issue where the internet wasn't working. My building is ancient (1985 build) and the outlet to connect the cable is some out-dated model used in the 90's. I had previously thought that the cable included in the room had finally died and thus went to purchase a new one. Upon showing the staff at various places my outlet situation, they said I needed to speak with the landlord because the cables that would fit are no longer available. (My cable is the one-prong design that just looks like a single thumbtack sticking out of a rounded back without the circular metallic piece usually used to keep it secure in it's connection). I get my Japanese friends to help after some back and forth and once my Japanese friends tap in, the company gives them the runaround. They refuse to call them back and keep referring them back and forth to people saying it's "not within their jurisdiction". They even resort to the instruction of waiting for a call, days after the call is due but never comes. Think telling me to expect a call Monday the 3rd but sending the heads up Wednesday the 5th. When my Japanese friend doubles down and keeps referring to the pictures of the setup, NR responds with, "The other rooms aren't set up like that".
HOW ARE YOU GOING TO TELL ME WHAT MY SET UP LOOKS LIKE WHEN I HAVE PHOTO EVIDENCE AND HAVE BEEN HERE LONGER?!
Luckily I end up "fixing" the situation by jerry-rigging the cord within the outlet and the router/modem and my internet is back. Nothing special, just have a shelf pinning a part of the cord against the wall so it doesn't gradually slip out. But I'm worried they might try and blame me for the setup they claim doesn't exist.
Damage Worries (3)
The carpeted area in front of my bed has slowly lifted over the years and I suspect it's due to plumbing issues. My carpet isn't wet, just slightly lifted, and I would assume that it's the apartment's responsibility to fix in between tenants seeing as they've had several opportunities due to room below me being vacant several times in my stay here.
Damage Worries (4)
The mini-fridge included in the apartment is on it's last leg. Once my microwave died and I removed it from the top of the mini-fridge, I noticed rusting damage. I believe the bottom is also rusting into the carpet, but even when empty I don't have the strength to move it on my own.
Advice
Is there anything I can do to protect myself? Any papers I can go apply for in advanced? I'm moving to a completely different region, so once I'm gone, I'll literally be several hours away by shinkansen and have no desire to play the back-and-fourth game whilst trying to set-up and settle-in, in the new place.
by yagamisugikaito