I moved in March 2023.
It has now been exactly one year since I moved here, and I’ve been living very comfortably.
However, finding this home took quite a lot of energy…
Today, I’d like to share the story of how I eventually found the rental apartment I live in now.
Working with Real Estate Agents
First, I decided which area I wanted to live in, including which train station I wanted to use, and contacted real estate agencies in that area.
This was about two and a half months before my move.
It wasn’t until I contacted my fifth agency that I found one that was particularly familiar with the area, and eventually I decided on my new home through them.
The area was popular, and rental properties became available and disappeared very quickly. So instead of looking at a list of properties in advance, I would visit the real estate agency and see whatever properties were available to show that day.
If I found a place I liked, I had to make a decision on the spot because it could be taken by someone else very quickly.
Apparently, many people even decide on a property without viewing it in person.
But there were things I wanted to check for myself, such as odors, so I visited the area about three times and was shown around ten properties.
The things I told the real estate agent I was looking for were:
- Distance from the train station
- Suitable for a household rather than a single-person apartment
- Rent within a certain range
- Reinforced concrete construction (for noise reduction)
- Not a relatively new building or recently renovated property (to avoid new-building odors)
I didn’t mention my Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS).
I simply explained that I was sensitive to the smell of new buildings, so I wanted to avoid relatively new or recently renovated properties.
Perhaps because they wanted to avoid potential problems, the real estate agent repeatedly asked me, “You’re not extremely sensitive to odors, are you?”
I would answer, “No. I had some symptoms that seemed a little like sick building syndrome in the past, so I’m just being cautious.”
There’s one other thing I wish I had asked the real estate agent about:
Whether the building had recently undergone major repair or renovation work.
In this case, repair work began the summer immediately after I moved in during the spring, and I ended up having to move to temporary accommodation.
I’m not sure how much information a real estate agent can provide, but I occasionally saw properties with descriptions such as “major repairs completed in [year].”
So, it may be worth keeping this in mind as one of your checkpoints when looking for a home.
What to Check When Viewing a Property
① Odors
First, when entering the property, check whether there are any unusual smells from things such as paint, adhesives, or mold.
Sometimes there may still be a slight smell from cleaning products used during the cleaning process. However, I think these odors are more likely to disappear after you move in and ventilate the property thoroughly.
But if something feels off or you notice an odor that makes you uncomfortable, it may be better to pass on the property.
② Tatami, Closets, and Shoe Cabinets
These are areas where insect repellents or anti-mold treatments may have been used.
In the past, I had no choice but to stay temporarily in a room with tatami during repair work, and I was affected by it after all.
I wish I had chosen a place with only hardwood-style flooring.
It’s also worth checking the smell inside closets, shoe cabinets, and other areas where moisture tends to accumulate.
③ Odors Coming from Neighboring Homes (As Much as You Can Check)
For example, you may want to check whether there are nearby apartments where strong cigarette smoke or fabric softener smells are noticeable.
One unexpected thing to be aware of is neighbors who enjoy gardening.
They may use insecticides or other garden chemicals.
That said, when you’re renting, neighbors can always move in and out.
There’s no way to guarantee that everything will remain the same, but I try to check what I can based on the overall atmosphere of the building, as well as the entrances, balconies, and surrounding area.
What to Check About the Surrounding Environment
① Is There an Industrial Area Nearby?
I used to live somewhere that wasn’t particularly far from an industrial area—about one train stop away.
On very clear days, there were sometimes photochemical smog alerts.
My eyes would occasionally hurt, and I wondered whether that might have been related.
Since moving, I haven’t experienced that even once.
If possible, it seems better to avoid areas like this.
② Are There Busy Roads or Intersections Nearby?
Busy roads tend to have more vehicle exhaust, while intersections can be particularly problematic because exhaust fumes and dust are released when vehicles wait at traffic lights and then all start moving at once.
These are areas I would prefer to avoid as much as possible.
I used to live on the second floor of a building near a large intersection where four lanes crossed four lanes.
There was a noticeable smell of vehicle exhaust, so I decided that I wanted to stay farther away from major intersections in the future.
At the same time, for safety reasons, I wanted some degree of lighting and foot traffic at night.
So now I live on the fifth floor of a building facing a two-lane road.
This is purely my personal impression, but I feel that the air seems better on higher floors.
③ Are There Gas Stations, Convenience Stores, or Laundromats Nearby?
I try to avoid gas stations as much as possible in my everyday life.
Having a convenience store nearby is certainly convenient, but some convenience stores have designated smoking areas nearby, so that is something to watch out for.
I also prefer not to live too close to a laundromat, since you may be exposed to the smell of laundry detergents and fabric softeners.
④ Is There a Cherry Tree-lined Street Nearby?
I once lived in an area surrounded by rows of cherry trees.
They were absolutely beautiful in spring, but I later learned that pesticides may sometimes be sprayed when caterpillar season arrives.
Practices vary by area, so if there are rows of cherry trees near a property you’re considering, it might be worth contacting the local government to ask whether any pest-control spraying is carried out.
In the area where I used to live, some locations were treated while others were not.
The local government was able to tell me which areas were treated, which allowed me to take precautions.
Trust Your Intuition in the End
I’ve written quite a lot here based on my own experiences.
But I don’t think there is such a thing as a perfect property.
After checking everything you reasonably can, in the end, you have to trust your own intuition and make a decision.
The place I live now meets my basic requirements, although there is actually a gas station fairly close by.
Even so, I had a feeling that this place would probably be okay.
And I can definitely say that I’m living in a better environment than I was before.
For people who are highly sensitive to chemicals, finding a place to live can be quite a challenge.
I hope this article gives you at least one useful idea to consider.
I hope you find a place where you can feel safe and comfortable. 🍀
Thank you for reading! 😊