Words such as “free internet” or “internet available” in a rental listing do not tell you who must sign up, when service starts, or whether equipment must be returned when you move out. Before choosing a connection type, find out who has the contract, when you can use the service, and what you must do at move-out.
Ask about the advertised connection
Ask the property manager or landlord:
- Is internet included in the rent, or is there a separate fee?
- Must each resident register or sign a contract?
- What date can service start, and what steps are required?
- Is Wi-Fi provided, or is there only a wired LAN outlet?
- Is the equipment owned by the building, the provider, or the resident?
- Must equipment be returned when leaving?
A listing may describe a building that is ready for a service, rather than a service that is already active in your room. Ask for the service name and room-specific instructions. A public example from ShaMaison describes free internet, but that example does not establish the conditions at another property.
Keep the property listing, lease, and move-in instructions together. If they disagree, ask the property manager which condition applies to your room. You can ask: “For this room, what do I need to do to use the advertised internet, and what costs are separate from rent?”
Send the property manager a short checklist
Include the property name, room, and planned move-in date. Ask for answers where known and the provider’s contact desk for details they cannot confirm. Leave unknown answers blank rather than filling them by guess.
| Topic | Ask |
|---|---|
| Provider and contract | What are the provider and service names? Is the building contract enough, or must the resident sign up? |
| Wiring | Is the room wired with fiber, VDSL over telephone wiring, or LAN? Does the wiring reach this room or only a shared area? |
| Outlet and equipment | Which outlet should I use? Is an ONU, Wi-Fi router, or other device installed, loaned, or my responsibility to provide? |
| Start procedure | Is resident registration, equipment delivery, a visit, or setup required? Can I use it on move-in day? Who should I contact? |
| Fees | Are the internet and provider fees included in rent or common charges? Are setup, equipment, rental, optional, or required add-on fees separate? |
| Use and support | Are there data or use limits? Which desk handles a failed connection or interrupted meeting? |
| Move-out | Who must receive notice, and by when? Which devices must be returned, how, and at what cost if they are late or missing? |
| A separate line | May a resident order a separate line? Who grants permission, and which work is allowed? |
If a term is unfamiliar, ask the provider to explain it. A photo of an outlet or a page from the move-in packet can help with a question, but does not by itself identify the wiring or prove that service can start.
Check the room equipment and construction permission
Record the labels on the outlets and any installed equipment without unplugging or opening shared devices. Ask which outlet is intended for internet and whether a private router may be connected. If the role of a wall jack is unclear, do not guess from its shape.
For a new fiber connection, ask the provider whether the address and building can receive the service, what equipment is already installed, and whether work inside the room is needed. Ask the manager for permission before drilling, running a cable, or changing installed equipment. The FLET’S construction information explains that work depends on the building and service conditions; a map or building-ready status is not confirmation of a completed installation in your room.
NTT East and NTT West describe cases where a technician visits and cases where no visit is needed. Even without a visit, you may need to connect and configure equipment. These are FLET’S examples, not a decision about another provider or your room. A fiber outlet in the room does not prove that the plan you want can use it.
Give the provider the address, building and room names, and any service, wiring, and outlet details from the manager. Ask whether service is confirmed or depends on a site survey; whether existing wiring can be used; what work is needed (including pulling a cable, drilling, fixing equipment, placing an outlet, or entering a shared area); whether someone must be present or unlock the shared area; the likely start date and all fees; and what cancellation procedure and cost apply if permission is refused or the work cannot be done.
If work is needed, send the provider’s exact work description to the property manager before applying. Confirm who must approve it and how approval is recorded; whether existing conduit can be used; whether holes, screws, brackets, or a new outlet are allowed; how shared-area access is arranged; and whether equipment or cable must be removed or repaired when you leave. Do not assume that all wiring must be removed or that it can always remain. Keep the answer in writing. If the work on the day differs from what was approved, pause and ask the manager before allowing extra work.
Keep provider questions separate from property questions: the provider can confirm service availability and work details, while the property manager can confirm building equipment and permission. Record answers and the date. If the answer is still pending, do not enter an assumed fee or installation date as a confirmed fact.
Decide whether you need a new connection
| What you learn | Next step |
|---|---|
| Included Wi-Fi is active and meets your normal needs | Try it before buying another device or plan. |
| Wired internet is available and only wired devices are needed | You may not need Wi-Fi equipment. Check the required cable and connection steps. |
| You need Wi-Fi but only a wired outlet is provided | Ask whether a personal wireless router is allowed and what mode or connection settings are required. |
| The service, outlet, fee, or equipment rules are unclear | Pause the purchase and ask the manager or provider for the missing detail. |
| The installed connection has problems | Record the symptoms and contact the named support desk before signing up for another service. |
Once the room’s conditions are known, compare options using the guide to choosing between fiber, a home router, and mobile Wi-Fi. Include the expected length of stay, installation and equipment costs, monthly charges, discounts and their conditions, and cancellation costs. Do not double-count equipment or treat a conditional benefit as guaranteed.
If you cannot try the installed connection before moving in, mark its quality as untested. Record when you need internet and whether your current phone plan could bridge the gap. Check tethering availability, data allowance, and extra charges first. After the service becomes available, test ordinary tasks such as video calls and file uploads at the times you normally use them. A maximum-speed figure is not a room test. If the connection is poor, contact the installed service’s support desk before adding another line.
If you cannot confirm a room-specific condition, keep it marked unknown. The example sources are not a promise that a particular rental has the same wiring, service, or fees.
Official sources (Japanese)
The Japanese source file records each reference’s scope and its own verification date. The sources below are in Japanese.
