Kanagawa Rental Agency Recommendations

[Coffeedaisuki]

Howdy all!
Looking for see if anyone can recommend foreigner friendly rental agencies in the western Kanagawa area (Zama or Sagamihara area-ish). I'm American, wife is Japanese and we have a daughter. We also have a dog (~11kg). Yup, I know...we might as well just live in the hole we have dug for ourselves with all of these things going against us.

My wife has been hitting up websites and has talked to a couple different agencies for 4 places and we have been told No because I'm a foreigner 3 times and dog once. I'm hoping to find an agency that has dealt with these "complicated" situations. Feels a bit like I'm throwing darts blindfolded. Any experience or recommendations is greatly appreciated!

[Kiro]

I don't know any in Western Kanagawa, but I just stopped by to say I can't believe the dog has more chance to find a home than you.
Dog:1 - Gaijin: 0

[RetireJapan]

Sorry to hear. That would drive me mad (it did when we ran into the issue in Sendai in 2004 -sans dog).

Your best option might be to contact more agencies and find the ones who are willing to work with you. Sometimes the agents will 'vouch' for non-Japanese customers and convince reluctant landlords to give them a chance.

I'm guessing you're trying to rent a house -much harder than manshons in my experience but probably your only option with a large dog.

Good luck!

[Coffeedaisuki]

I don't know any in Western Kanagawa, but I just stopped by to say I can't believe the dog has more chance to find a home than you.
Dog:1 - Gaijin: 0

My wife told me she thinks the last people were just trying to be nice. They also didn't want to rent to foreigners, but they were trying to be nicer about it. So actually it is:

Dog: 4 - Gaijin: 0

[Coffeedaisuki]

Sorry to hear. That would drive me mad (it did when we ran into the issue in Sendai in 2004 -sans dog).

Your best option might be to contact more agencies and find the ones who are willing to work with you. Sometimes the agents will 'vouch' for non-Japanese customers and convince reluctant landlords to give them a chance.

I'm guessing you're trying to rent a house -much harder than manshons in my experience but probably your only option with a large dog.

Good luck!

Thanks and yes, trying for a house or a townhome. I'm trying to network with some other people I know in the area, but there are a couple of other variables that make this move even more complicated.

I was just surprised that not 1, but 3 of the 4 owners just outright said, no we don't want to rent to foreigners because of me....and quick too! I'm talking like within 24 hours, they said No. 1 of the places has been vacant for 3 months and they have reduced the price 3 times. These people would rather a place sit vacant.

I initially took it a bit personal, but chocked it up to at least the owners were honest. Better than having a racist and greedy owner who takes my money and then asks the neighborhood obachans to watch everything we do and report about us.

[Deep Blue]

Does your wife need to disclose your nationality? Unless you are named on the contract, your wife could simply omit to mention her husband is a barbarian foreigner.

[Tsumitate Wrestler]

Does your wife need to disclose your nationality? Unless you are named on the contract, your wife could simply omit to mention her husband is a barbarian foreigner.

I agree, this is the path of least resistance. My wife kept her maiden name, so it was smooth sailing.

Never a question or concern after moving in, even with a western name on the mailbox.

[William]

For what it's worth, I used エイブル to find the mansion I'm currently renting. I'm foreigner, obviously, and live with a Japanese person, but the contract is under my name.

Our mansion is also pet-friendly (which might be why it's also gaijin-friendly? )

I believe エイブル is a little bit everywhere. Of course, I had to go through the humiliating part where they called landlords in front of me to then let me know that it was ダメ. But well, in the end, they did find me a place I like very much.

[Coffeedaisuki]

Does your wife need to disclose your nationality? Unless you are named on the contract, your wife could simply omit to mention her husband is a barbarian foreigner.

I agree, this is the path of least resistance. My wife kept her maiden name, so it was smooth sailing.

Never a question or concern after moving in, even with a western name on the mailbox.

Yes, the name thing is a giveaway and automatically brings questions. My wife is asked almost everytime if she is Japanese, whether she reaches out via email or phone. That invites other questions about me. The one real estate guy who didn't ask, assumed it. During one of their phone conversations, he started asking her about her permanent residency. She had to correct him and tell him she was Japanese.

We have been married for 15 years and have lived in Japan off and on during that time. I didn't notice it until recently the name thing or even how often foreign husbands take their wives names in Japan. I'm beginning to understand why.

Unfortunately, due to our financial situation (not bad, just not what is common in Japan). I have to include my money. That makes this not ideal. One of the realtors hasn't followed up with her in like 3 days.

[Tsumitate Wrestler]

Does your wife need to disclose your nationality? Unless you are named on the contract, your wife could simply omit to mention her husband is a barbarian foreigner.

I agree, this is the path of least resistance. My wife kept her maiden name, so it was smooth sailing.

Never a question or concern after moving in, even with a western name on the mailbox.

Yes, the name thing is a giveaway and automatically brings questions. My wife is asked almost everytime if she is Japanese, whether she reaches out via email or phone. That invites other questions about me. The one real estate guy who didn't ask, assumed it. During one of their phone conversations, he started asking her about her permanent residency. She had to correct him and tell him she was Japanese.

We have been married for 15 years and have lived in Japan off and on during that time. I didn't notice it until recently the name thing or even how often foreign husbands take their wives names in Japan. I'm beginning to understand why.

Unfortunately, due to our financial situation (not bad, just not what is common in Japan). I have to include my money. That makes this not ideal. One of the realtors hasn't followed up with her in like 3 days.

If you're renting, there is no reason you cannot use your wives bank account, right?

How about your wives family, can they lend a hand?

An acquaintance, whose wife took his foreign name, went in with her mother. This seemed to help a lot, they didn't mention the husband once...