I was diagnosed with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) in 2019.
At one point, my condition became so severe that I could barely stand. But as I gradually worked on creating a healthier environment through what I ate, what I wore, and where I lived, my symptoms slowly began to improve.
But then…
There’s one thing that can suddenly happen as long as you live in a rental property:
Renovation work.
And, unbelievably, I ended up experiencing major renovation work twice in a row.
In 2023, I moved because of my family’s work.
And just before and just after that move, renovation work was scheduled at each of the rental apartment buildings where I lived.
What timing…
Rental apartment before moving: Summer 2022 — exterior wall renovation, approximately four months
Rental apartment after moving: Summer 2023 — exterior wall renovation, approximately four months
The first time, I received a notice about the construction, but while I was still contacting the construction company to find out exactly what kind of work would be done, the construction had already begun.
I became so anxious and tense that I started feeling unwell even before the work began.
Looking back, I should have moved somewhere else right away. But at the time, I had completely lost my ability to think calmly.
I wasn’t feeling well, either, so I didn’t have the energy to look for another place.
“I spent years creating a comfortable living environment. There’s no way I can find another place where I’ll be able to live comfortably!”
That’s what I thought.
While I was struggling with anxiety, the construction continued regardless…
I contacted the construction company every day, and on days when paint was being used, I escaped to a hotel or somewhere else.
I also worked from home, so I installed three air purifiers in my apartment and kept them running at full power.
I sealed around the entrance as much as possible to prevent odors from flowing into the apartment.
Whenever there was a break in the construction, I opened the windows and ventilated the apartment.
I was doing everything I could to protect myself, but rashes began appearing all over my body, and my overall condition gradually worsened.
I somehow made it through the construction period, but I was completely exhausted.
Suddenly, There’s Renovation Work! What Should You Do First?
About a year later, I received another notice about renovation work.
I had just finished the hectic process of choosing a new place and moving, and had finally begun to relax.
I was shocked, but this time was different.
As soon as I learned about the construction, I opened a notebook and wrote down all the options I had, along with the pros and cons of each one.
| Option | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Move to another home | • Avoid exposure to chemicals • More housing options | • Time and effort required to find a new place • Possibility of facing renovation work again at the new property • Additional expenses |
| 2. Temporarily move into another place | • Avoid exposure to chemicals • Once the renovation is finished, I can return to my home and won’t have to deal with construction again for a while→ This sense of security was important, so I chose this option! | • Time and effort required to find temporary housing • Fewer housing options, since not many landlords offer short-term rentals • Additional expenses, including rent for two places temporarily |
| 3. Stay in the apartment during construction | • No extra time, effort, or moving costs | • Continued exposure to chemicals and additional strain on my body→ I absolutely wanted to avoid this, so I ruled out option 3. |
After looking at everything this way, I decided on Option 2: temporarily moving to another place.
Tips for Finding Temporary Housing
The most difficult part of finding temporary housing was finding a place where I could stay for only a short period of time.
Another challenge was that there usually isn’t much time between receiving the construction notice and the start of the work, so you have to make decisions quickly.
Apparently, some real estate agents may suggest hiding the fact that you only need the property temporarily when applying for a rental.
However, I found information advising against this because it could potentially lead to problems later.
Monthly rental apartments also seemed quite expensive for a stay of around four months.
Of course, the availability of rental properties varies depending on the area, but the option I chose was UR Rental Housing, a rental housing service operated by Japan’s Urban Renaissance Agency (UR).
At the time, I found a UR rental property that allowed short-term stays, and I was upfront about the fact that I needed it as temporary housing.
There was no brokerage fee or key money, which helped keep the initial costs down.
When you’re already struggling with unexpected expenses, that can make a big difference.
One important thing to check is whether any renovation work is scheduled at the temporary property during the period you’ll be staying there.
If it’s part of a large housing complex, there may be construction going on somewhere nearby, so it’s a good idea to check the surrounding buildings as well.
There didn’t seem to be much publicly available information about renovation schedules, but when I explained my situation, I was able to get some information.
It can also help to visit the property and check the notices posted in the building entrance. Sometimes you can find useful information there.
And even if you’re only going to stay for a short time, I recommend finding a place that is as comfortable and suitable for you as possible.
Four months may sound like a short time, but it’s certainly long enough for your physical condition to change.
If you’re going to temporarily relocate in order to avoid chemical exposure, you might as well make your temporary home as comfortable as possible, right?
In Conclusion
For people with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, renovation work on their home can be a major life event.
Personally, I think that temporarily relocating during the renovation period can be a good option.
If you’ve suddenly found yourself facing renovation work at your home, I hope this article gives you some ideas.
I believe that sometimes, even after going through something difficult, you can gain something valuable from the experience.
For me, this temporary move helped me develop a little more confidence, courage, and the ability to take action!
I also discovered a wonderful shop where I could buy delicious organic vegetables, and something amazing happened: the chronic headaches I had been struggling with for so long disappeared.
(I’ll write more about this in another article!)
In the end, my temporary stay brought me some small personal growth and some wonderful new encounters.
Thank you so much for reading to the end 😊
I hope that something in this article will be helpful to you!