Corporate Services
Japan Desk
Manager - Yoshi Tsuji
Fluent in English and Japanese
Qualified member of ARLA Propertymark experience helping Japanese companies and their employees with their accommodation needs in London.
020 3868 5733
Haruka brings with her solid experience of the international property market where she started outin 2011 working as an Administrator in a Japanese asset management company. Moving on to the investment division of a leading realtor in 2015, she became involved in the acquisition and management of high-value properties, concentrating on increasing their value before resale. Haruka also worked as a brokerage project manager before joining Benham and Reeves where she joins the Japan Desk team. A keen cook who loves the outdoor life, Haruka keeps fit by playing tennis.
Demand from Japanese corporate tenants reaches a peak
Rental demand from Japanese corporate tenants has increased significantly over the last few weeks as we reach our first peak season of the year, in fact the Japan Desk has just had its best month ever in terms of the number of transactions we have carried out. The level of enquiries we are seeing is high compared to usual and this is mainly due to word-of-mouth recommendation.
A few weeks ago, there had been some concern from Japanese families moving overseas during the pandemic but now, as the situation in the UK has improved so dramatically while in Japan things are getting worse, Japanese expats are much more relaxed about moving to the UK and there has been a significant shift in sentiment.
Much of the current demand is from professionals working in the banking and finance sectors, as well as manufacturing and trading companies.
In west London, White City Living remains a very popular development and we concluded a number of tenancy deals there in April. Being close to Westfield London and the large Japanese supermarket, Ichiba (Europe’s largest Japanese food hall),make this a very popular location for Japanese tenants and there are two tube stations just a few minutes’ walk away too.
Dickens Yard in Ealing remains the most popular development amongst Japanese corporate tenants but shortages of stock mean that demand is outstripping supply here. A good alternative for professionals who would like to live in west London is Filmworks and we have already agreed several deals here.
In east London, 250 City Road in Shoreditch has also quickly become a sought-after location and is only a 10 minute walk from Islington High Street, with its Japanese restaurants, cafes and supermarkets.
While we are seeing rental demand peak at the moment, we expect enquiry levels to stabilise but remain high throughout May and June.
Our Japan desk is a dedicated department employing Japanese people to provide a complete service to Japanese HR departments and their employees with their accommodation needs in London.
Unlike many other companies, our Japan desk has many unique advantages:
- Lettings is our specialism - so our focus is on rentals and assisting tenants.
- Professional and highly personal service so the process is smooth and seamless
- 65% of properties are managed by us so we can ensure maintenance issues are dealt with very quickly
- Even where we do not manage, we act as an intermediary with landlords to help the tenancy to run smoothly
- Access to London's best new developments through our relationships with the largest developers in London
- Network of 18 branches so can offer properties throughout London
- With our One-stop 10 point plan, we offer assistance every step of the process. Advise on location (distance to the company's offices and local schools); accompany all viewings; offer support throughout the entire process of finding a new home; assist during the tenancy and help with the return of the deposit at the end.
One-stop 10 point plan
We provide a dedicated account manager throughout the whole process to act as the main contact, handling any issues or questions that arise.
Before the employee arrives, we will discuss both the company and the employee’s needs to establish priorities in terms of
- Location
- Type of property – requirement for parking
- Rental budget
- Journey time to the office
- Preferences for schools, local amenities and transport links
so that you can be confident your new rental home meets all your requirements.
We will research all suitable properties within the specified budget, offering advice on areas which we believe will meet your needs and be conveniently located for your job, with good transport links. Once you have approved the properties you wish to view, we will take you take you around to view all the properties including pointing out where the local amenities, such as shops, gyms and of course where the local transport is.
Once a property has been selected we will negotiate the best terms complying with any specific requirements made by the company.
And once the offer is agreed, we will draw up the tenancy agreement (using the company’s agreement where one has been previously approved), register the deposit with an approved scheme (where tenancy is in employee’s name) and complete other essential documentation to ensure that both company and employee are fully protected under UK law.
When you move into your new home, we provide assistance from attending the inventory check-in (if required) to supplying relevant information about the property such as instructions for appliances and support setting up accounts with council tax, gas, electricity and other service providers.
Most companies insist employees rent a professionally managed property as this means repairs or maintenance issues are handled quickly. Over 65% of the properties we let are managed by us so employee and company can rest assured that the property will be well-maintained and hassle-free.
Your dedicated account manager will be on hand during the tenancy to assist with any issues or questions that arise.
Many of our corporate tenants are so happy in their rental home that they choose to renew their tenancy at the end of their tenancy agreement. If so, we will handle any negotiation with the landlord and the completion of a new tenancy agreement on the company’s or employee’s behalf. If a new property is required, then we will research suitable properties in the chosen location and ensure that they meet the employee’s criteria to avoid time wasting or the need for additional searches.
At the end of the tenancy, we will assist both employee and company with the end of tenancy procedure, including recommending reliable and reasonably priced cleaners and attending the inventory check-out (if required).
Once the tenancy has ended and the inventory check-out has been completed, we will liase with the landlord to ensure deductions are reasonable and push for a speedy return of the deposit.
Additional Services For Corporate HR Departments
We offer a number of additional services for HR departments including
- regular meetings to discuss the market and rental budgets (to ensure the company's rents are in line with the market)
- guidance tours of some new developments and some homes within our portfolio of London rental properties.
And of course we are always available to offer professional advice and assistance - we view our relationships with companies as long term and as such are always available to help where required.
London’s latest developments
375 Kensington High Street, W14
The red brick elegance of the roads that lead off High Street Kensington make this area one of the most desirable rental locations in London. Any new property development around these parts will definitely need to have something special going for it.
...moreKensington branch 020 7938 3522
Dickens Yard, W5
This new residential development from St George plc offers a fantastic lifestyle, with high spec apartments, many with their own terrace or balcony and great facilities including a private residents' spa, 24 hour concierge service and managed underground parking.
...moreEaling branch 020 8280 0140
Fitzroy Place, W1
It is hard to think of any apartments to let in London that are located in a more convenient spot than Fitzroy Place, an ideal base for both the corporate professional and the media creative.
...moreHyde Park branch 020 7402 9866
Fulham Reach, W6
Situated on an idyllic stretch of the Thames at the Fulham end of Hammersmith, the Fulham Reach property development has become part of a dramatically reshaped West London skyline.
...moreHammersmith branch 020 8600 0960
Goodman's Fields, E1
The architecture of the City of London continues to evolve at a thrilling pace and Goodman's Fields, E1 is one of its latest additions.
...moreWapping branch 020 7680 8900
Kew Bridge, TW8
The Kew Bridge development offers a selection of luxury apartments that blends seamlessly into the river frontage and treats tenants to spectacular maritime views. The development is neighboured by fashionable Richmond with its notable park and riverside locations that also provide fine dining and shopping experiences.
...moreKew branch 020 8326 1960
London Dock, E1W
A base for unloading valuable commodities is now a bespoke accommodation choice for City professionals looking to rent in East London.
...moreWapping branch 020 7680 8900
Nine Elms Point, SW8
The strategic positioning of Nine Elms Point will be of particular interest to the ever-growing corporate workforce looking for accommodation to rent in London.
...moreNine Elms branch 020 3282 3700
One Tower Bridge, SE1
London Bridge has become a magnet to corporate professionals and One Tower Bridge is high on their list of desirable rental properties. In order to enjoy the finer things in life, City workers are looking to cut their commuting times to the absolute minimum - so an apartment in SE1 makes perfect sense.
...moreWapping branch 020 7680 8900
Sovereign Court, W6
Hammersmith has always been high on the list for renters who want to get into central London quickly and be able to reach check-in at Heathrow Airport in under 20 minutes, and new property developments such as Sovereign Court provides a great option.
...moreHammersmith branch 020 8600 0960