On Aug. 27, the Osaka High Court reversed a ruling by the Kyoto District Court that found in favor of the defendant in a civil case brought by a tenant who thought the renewal fee stipulated in his rental agreement was unfair. It was the second verdict in a month in the Kansai region regarding renewal fees that found in favor of tenants. Not long after, a group calling itself The Association to Consider the Issue of Rental Condominium Contract Renewal Fees posted a message on its blog stating its position in the case and that it would appeal the High Court ruling.

In this particular case, the renter had to pay a contract renewal fee every year that amounted to twice his monthly rent. The judge basically said that if the fee is considered rent, then it should be incorporated into the monthly rent, otherwise it becomes an indefensible burden on the renter.

After the jump, the main points of the association’s post. Read More