Up to 300,000 yen Initial Costs in 60 Installments! Complete Everything on Smocca —From Store Search to Screening and Application

“Chintai Smocca” (hereinafter referred to as “Smocca”) https://smocca.jp/, a rental property and apartment search portal site operated by ZIGExN Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo, Representative Director, Operating Officer, and CEO: Joe Hirao, Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime: 3679, hereinafter referred to as ZIGExN), has partnered with Pocketcard Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “Pocketcard”) and started the introduction of an installment payment option for initial costs.

Smocca is a rental search website that allows users to browse rental housing from a database of approximately 5.5 million properties. Property information aggregated from various rental services is updated daily, allowing users to search for fresh rental listings across Japan easily.

We are pleased to announce that Smocca has partnered with Pocketcard and started the introduction of an installment payment option for initial costs.

■Background of the Introduction

Recently, real estate prices have been soaring, particularly in the Tokyo metropolitan areas, leading to a rising trend in rental prices. The nationwide average rent per tatami mat in 2023 increased by 10.7% compared to 2018 (according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications’ 2023 Housing and Land Statistics Survey). As a result, initial moving costs have also increased proportionally.

The initial moving costs have become a financial burden on households, leading to a decrease in the frequency of relocations and a growing reluctance to move. Many of Smocca’s users are young people, and many among them face financial challenges related to moving. By introducing this new feature, we aim to minimize the financial burden of moving, solve the issue of “wanting to live but unable to,” and update the lives of young people.

■About the Installment Payment Option for Initial Costs

＜Basic Scheme / Flow＞

1. The user inquires about a property through Smocca.
2. The user undergoes a pre-screening process on Smocca (*1).
3. The user makes a reservation to visit a real estate agency (an agency directly contracted with Smocca) via Smocca.
4. The user visits the real estate agency.
5. The user applies for installment payments for the initial costs at the agency (*2).
6. After confirming the application, Pocketcard makes the payment to the real estate agency through ZIGExN Co., Ltd. on behalf of the user.
7. The user starts paying the installment for the initial costs starting from the second month after the payment is made (*3).

(*1) A credit assessment is conducted for users wishing to use this service. Users who do not pass the assessment will not be eligible to use this service.
(*2) Installment payments for initial costs of up to 300,000 yen, with a maximum of 60 installments, are available.
(*3) Handling fees will apply based on the number of installments.

For more details, please visit: https://smocca.jp/specific/later_payment

■Benefits of this Feature

Installment payment services for moving initial costs have existed in the industry for some time, but it has often been unclear where these services can be used and whether users are eligible. Additionally, each store required separate assessments and applications, which required unnecessary time and effort. While credit cards also offer installment payment options, real estate agencies incur merchant fees, and users face limitations on their credit card usage for initial costs, presenting disadvantages.

With the feature introduced on Smocca, users can easily check which stores are available for installment payments directly on Smocca’s rental web portal and apply for screening through the portal. This enables users to easily search for and sign contracts with stores that offer installment payment options online. Real estate agencies can also offer installment payment options to a larger number of potential movers. Furthermore, by utilizing a common credit limit, the need for separate assessments at each store is eliminated, resulting in a smoother process.

Through the expansion of this feature, we aim to create an environment where more people can easily find their ideal home, thereby broadening their housing options. In the future, we plan to expand the available options to include moving costs and expenses for starting a new life. Smocca will continue to strengthen its support for comfortable home searches while responding to the diverse needs of users and real estate agencies.

■Pocketcard Co., Ltd. Company Profile

［Company Name］          Pocketcard Co., Ltd.
［Location］                     Sumitomo Fudosan Onarimon Tower, 1-1-1 Shiba Koen, Minato-ku, Tokyo
［Established］                May 25, 1982
［Representative］           President and CEO  Haruo Takagaki
［Business］                    Credit Card Business, Loan Business, Insurance Agency Business, etc. ［URL］                            https://www.pocketcard.co.jp/ir/

■About “Chintai Smocca”

Chintai Smocca is a rental search website that allows users to browse rental housing from a database of approximately 5.5 million properties. It aggregates property information listed on various rental information services. The property listings are updated daily, enabling users to easily find fresh rental property information from all over Japan.

［URL］https://smocca.jp/