礼金(れいきん)

れいきん
noun
key money, gift money to landlord
1. key money, gift money
A non-refundable payment made to the landlord as a 'thank you' or 'gift' when signing a rental contract in Japan, typically 1-2 months' rent.
礼金(れいきん)は返金(へんきん)されません。
Key money is not refunded.
礼金(れいきん)一(いち)ヶ月(げつ)、敷金(しききん)一(いち)ヶ月(げつ)の物件(ぶっけん)。
A property with one month's key money and one month's security deposit.
Common listing format
礼金(れいきん)なしの物件(ぶっけん)が増(ふ)えている。
Properties with no key money are increasing.

COMPOUND: 礼(れい) (thanks, gratitude) + 金(きん) (money)

CULTURAL NOTE: 礼金(れいきん) is a uniquely Japanese custom, especially common in the Kanto region (Tokyo area). It originated as a gift of gratitude to landlords but is often criticized as an unnecessary expense for renters.

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • 礼金(れいきん)ゼロ (zero key money)
  • 礼金(れいきん)・敷金(しききん)なし (no key money or deposit)

TRENDS: Many modern rental listings advertise '0ゼロ物件(ぶっけん)' which have neither 礼金(れいきん) nor 敷金(しききん), making it easier to move in.

Related Words

Related: 敷金(しききん)
general
Added 2026.1.17 11:09 · Revised 2026.1.19 21:17
06000/06080_reikin