If you are thinking of buying an older, secondhand apartment in Japan, these are some of the important factors that you need to consider:

[1] What are the building's common areas like?

When inspecting an apartment, it is important that you thoroughly check the building's common areas including the entrance, bicycle and car parking, hallways, garbage disposal room and rooftop (if possible). If a building is well managed and maintained, it will be evident in the common areas. If, however, it is unclean or looking run down, it could be a sign that the building is not being property cared for. 

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