Would You Stay Even If Rent Increases? Survey Reveals the True Feelings of Single Working Adults Living in Rental Apartments

Real Estate Investment Square, a website dedicated to enriching lives through real estate investment (operated by Clairs Life Co., Ltd.), conducted a survey targeting single working adults in their 20s to 50s who currently live alone in rental apartments.

Full survey results are available here.

Survey Respondents: Single working adults aged 20–50 living alone in rental apartments

Valid Responses: 199

Survey Period: June 10–11, 2026

Survey Organization: Clairs Life Co., Ltd.

Survey Method: Internet-based survey

Survey Background

In recent years, due to the increasing number of single-person households and diverse work styles, the criteria for rental apartments have expanded beyond just “rent” to include commute convenience, living environment, interior facilities, security, and property management. For investment-grade one-room apartments, whether a property continues to attract tenants directly impacts vacancy risk and rental sustainability.

This survey targeted single, childless men and women aged 20–50 currently living alone in rental apartments, asking about past reasons for moving out, key factors in choosing their current home, desired future conditions, and acceptable rent ranges. The goal is to understand actual tenant needs in the rental market and provide valuable insights for individuals considering apartment investment to make informed property choices.

[Reference] Previous survey: Reality check on 1,745 single-person households—what kind of properties do they live in?

Respondent Profile

Attribute: Gender

Attribute: Age

Attribute: Occupation

Attribute: Annual Income

Respondents were 199 single, childless men and women aged 20–50 living alone in rental apartments across Japan. The gender distribution slightly favors males. Individuals aged 30 and above account for approximately 90% of the total. The Kanto region had the highest representation at 53.3%, followed by Kansai at 20.6% and Chubu at 8.5%, indicating a relatively high concentration of urban dwellers. Company employees made up 78.4% of respondents, suggesting that single-person households are predominantly urban office workers.

Question: Please tell us the reasons you moved out of previous apartments. (Multiple answers allowed)

Reasons for Moving Out

Top reasons for moving out included “commute/transportation convenience,” “changes in work style,” and “rent/common service fees.” It is clear that changes in work or lifestyle significantly impact housing continuity. In particular, changes in workplace or work arrangements often alter perceptions of convenience and rent burden, making relocation more likely.

Question: Please tell us what you were dissatisfied with in your previous apartments. (Multiple answers allowed)

Past Dissatisfactions

Top complaints about previous apartments included “room size/layout,” “distance to nearest station,” “commute/transportation convenience,” and “soundproofing/noise insulation.” For urban professionals, even apartments designed for single living must offer more than just basic shelter. Factors such as walking distance to stations, balance with daily life, and comfort at home significantly affect satisfaction. Minor daily inconveniences tend to accumulate into broader dissatisfaction.

Question: Please tell us what you strongly regret compromising on after moving into previous apartments. (Multiple answers allowed)

Regrets from Compromising

Top regrets after moving in were “distance to nearest station,” “commute/transportation convenience,” “soundproofing/noise insulation,” and “room size/layout.” Conditions that seemed acceptable during apartment hunting often surface as post-move dissatisfaction—daily commutes, shopping trips, noise from neighbors or floors above/below, and ease of living within the apartment. In particular, station distance and soundproofing are aspects that are difficult to fully appreciate until actually living there.

Question: What were the deciding factors in choosing your current apartment? (Multiple answers allowed)

Key Decision Factors

Top factors in choosing their current apartment were “commute/transportation convenience,” “distance to nearest station,” “room size/layout,” and “living/shopping environment.” For single-person households, ease of commuting and going out is important, as well as access to daily shopping, dining, and essential facilities. Room size and layout were also key factors, showing that both location and room functionality are critical in housing decisions.

Question: If you were to move to another apartment, what features would be essential? (Multiple answers allowed)

Essential Amenities

Top essential amenities for a future apartment include “private toilet with warm water bidet,” “separate sink,” “washing machine space,” “storage,” “air conditioning,” and “kitchen.” Even for single-person living, basic facilities directly tied to daily life—such as ease of use in water areas, sufficient storage, climate control, and cooking environment—are highly valued. In particular, the independence of toilets and sinks is seen as crucial for comfort and cleanliness.

Question: What facilities or services would you appreciate if available in your apartment building? (Multiple answers allowed)

Desirable Facilities

The most desired facility was “24-hour garbage disposal,” followed by “walk-in closet,” “soundproofing,” “storage/trunk room,” and “three-point separation of water areas (bath, toilet, sink).” For single-person households, irregular lifestyles make the convenience of being able to dispose of garbage at any time highly appealing. There is also strong demand for practical features that enhance daily comfort, such as storage, soundproofing, and separated water areas.

Question: What security features give you a sense of safety in your apartment building? (Multiple answers allowed)

Security for Peace of Mind

Top security features that provide peace of mind include “auto-lock doors,” “security cameras,” and “intercom with monitor.” Visible security measures at building entrances, common areas, and individual units contribute to a sense of safety for single residents. Additionally, “management/security company responsiveness” and “package lockers” received notable responses, indicating that both equipment and support systems—such as handling emergencies or receiving deliveries when absent—are valued.

Question: What is your ideal walking time to the nearest station? (Single answer)

Ideal Station Distance

The ideal walking time to the nearest station was “7–10 minutes,” followed by “3–5 minutes” and “5–7 minutes.” A majority of respondents preferred under 10 minutes on foot. For urban single workers, who often do not own cars, station proximity affects daily comfort—not just for commuting, but also for weekend outings, shopping, and rainy-day travel. A 10-minute walk to the station appears to be a common benchmark in housing decisions.

Question: What factors might lead you to consider moving? (Multiple answers allowed)