leaving lease early - contract not signed!

[joncrooke]

hey all,

i am looking to move apartments very soon. my current apartment has proved to be a bit of a mistake. isolated location, good for work but too far from friends etc. i want to move asap, but my company has told me that if i move before the end of the lease i will forfeit the deposit. i understand this is not unusual, but i my situation i have not actually signed a contract for the apartment! in my rather complicated move this seemed to get overlooked. so... does this leave me in any kind of favourable position to get the money back? it is a condition on the contract, but i haven't signed it.

also, who could i contact for further advice (in english)?

thanks jon

[honey]

Actually, yes. They must give you your money back, but I'd suggest talking to legal aid first.

[akahebi]

How well would your verbal contract (assuming you had one) hold up?

[honey]

In Japan, verbal and written contracts carry the same weight legally. The only difference is of course, the obvious: neither of yu can actually prove what the conditions of the original contract was.

[joncrooke]

thought it would be nice to share some good news. in the end this situation seems to have never become a problem. when i finally moved out my deposit was returned in its entirity by the landlord! only 14k taken for "cleaning" which i will tolerate. now living in a CHEAPER place in a good location with friends that will mean in about 6 months i will actually be in profit compared to the old place i hated.. (C:

fantastic!