“I live in a rental apartment, but will I be kicked out if I put in a soundproof room?” “Will I get caught if I just put it in without permission?”
This “Rental Barrier” is an unavoidable path when you start VTuber activities in earnest. The conclusion is: Yes, you can place a soundproof room in a rental.
However, if you make a mistake in the procedure, worst-case scenarios like “the floor gives way,” “large bills upon moving out,” or “forced eviction due to noise complaints” await you.
In this article, I’ll explain the complete method for rental VTubers to introduce a soundproof room safely and without getting scolded, from the perspective of a studio engineer.
The Rental Barrier: Furniture or Equipment?#
First, there are two types of soundproof rooms: “furniture-treated” and “equipment-treated.” Making a mistake here is an immediate failure.
1. Furniture-Treated (Easier to get permission)#
- Representative Examples: Danbotchi, OTODASU, and unit-types from Yamaha (Avitecs) and Kawai (Nasal).
- Features: These types are “simply placed” in the room without nailing into the walls or floor.
- Judgment: They are treated as “furniture” just like large refrigerators or bookshelves. As long as you can return the room to its original state when moving out, there are no restoration issues.
2. Equipment-Treated (Construction and permission mandatory)#
- Representative Examples: Built-in soundproof rooms (custom work by renovation contractors).
- Features: This involves remodeling the room itself by dismantling or reinforcing walls or ceilings.
- Judgment: Since it involves structural changes to the building, it’s basically a NO for rentals. It’s rare to get permission from the landlord.
99% of what you VTubers will introduce is the former “assembly-type (furniture).” In other words, since it’s just placing large furniture, it doesn’t immediately violate your contract.
Strategy for Getting Permission from Management/Landlord#
“Can I just place it without permission if it’s furniture?”
Technically, YES, but I strongly recommend prior consultation with the management company. It is mandatory, especially for sizes exceeding 1.5 mats or in wooden apartments.
The Magic of Communication: What Should You Say?#
Being honest and saying, “I want to place a soundproof room because I’m a VTuber,” is a NO. It’s like declaring “I’m going to make a lot of noise every day,” which will put them on guard.
Recommended way to communicate:
“My remote work has increased, and to avoid my voice leaking during online meetings, I’m thinking of placing a working booth (like Yamaha’s Avitecs) inside my room. It’s an assembly-type that doesn’t damage walls, but would it be okay to install it?”
The keywords are “telework” and “working booth.” This will be positively received as “consideration for serious work.”
Showing Drawings Is the Fastest Way#
Don’t just explain verbally; show the manufacturer’s catalog or drawings. If you show that it has a “floating structure (vibration isolation rubber),” you can emphasize that there is no vibration damage to the building.
The Scariest Thing Is “Weight”! Risk of the Floor Giving Way#
What’s physically scarier than permission is the “weight.” Under the Japanese Building Standards Act, the floor load capacity of a dwelling is set at “180kg per square meter.”
Soundproof Rooms Are Too Heavy#
- 0.8 Mat Type: Approx. 200kg -
- 1.5 Mat Type: Approx. 300kg -
- + Your weight + Equipment + Chair
Combined, you can easily exceed the load limit per square meter. Especially in wooden apartments or lightweight steel frames, long-term placement could cause the floor to sag, and in the worst-case scenario, the bottom could drop out.
Countermeasure: Load Distribution Is Mandatory#
If you introduce one, please place a large structural plywood (thick board) or similar under the soundproof room. “Load distribution,” which spreads the weight over a wide area, is mandatory.
When consulting with the management company, telling them “I’ll place a board underneath to distribute the load and protect the floor” will give them peace of mind.
Can Be Placed Without Permission? “Danbotchi” and Lightweight Booths#
“Asking for permission is annoying! I want to just put it in!” If that’s the case, your only options are lightweight simple soundproof rooms.
Danbotchi (Made of Cardboard)#
- Weight: Approx. 30kg
- Judgment: Completely “lightweight furniture.” No permission needed from anyone. It’s lighter than a bookshelf.
- Weakness: Soundproofing performance is low. It can block “speaking voice” levels, but “screaming” is a no-go. Also, because it becomes a sauna in summer, heatstroke countermeasures (like installing a dedicated fan) are mandatory.
The Limit for No Permission#
A guide for weight is under 100kg. Booths made of plastic panels like OTODASU are relatively lightweight and have lower installation hurdles. However, don’t forget the law of physics: “Lightweight = Thin soundproofing material = Low soundproofing performance.”
If Complaints and Procedures are Annoying, Go to “Soundproof Rental”#
Getting permission, weight calculation, and remodeling are all annoying! The final and optimal solution for such VTubers is to “live in a room that is soundproofed from the start.”
Benefits of Soundproof Rentals (Musission, etc.)#
- Playing (Streaming) OK 24 Hours a Day: Literally, you won’t be scolded even if you shout.
- No Permission Needed: It’s that kind of property to begin with.
- Floors for Grand Pianos: Zero worries about weight.
Downsides#
- Rent Is High: Monthly rent is usually the market rate + 10,000 to 30,000+ JPY.
- Few in Number: They are so popular that they often have no vacancies.
If “Current Rent + Soundproof Room Loan” exceeds the “Rent for a Soundproof Rental,” it will be overwhelmingly easier for your activities to just move.
Everyone Wants One Someday: “Yamaha Avitecs”! What’s the Revenue Milestone?#
Every VTuber dreams of Yamaha’s soundproof room “Avitecs.” If you buy a new one, it costs about 600,000 to 1,500,000 JPY for 0.8 to 1.5 mats.
Milestone for Introduction?#
As one indicator, why not consider it “when you can pay your rent just with YouTube revenue”? Until then, do your best with “Danbotchi modification” or “closet streaming,” and once you have a track record, build your “castle (Avitecs)” as an investment in yourself. This is also a wonderful story.
By the way, unit soundproof rooms like Avitecs sell for high prices even when used. For rental-oriented VTubers who move often, it is actually a smart choice as a “soundproof room that becomes an asset.”
What if You Get a Complaint? Dealing with Eviction Risks#
In the unlikely event that a neighbor complains, “It’s noisy!” what should you do?
- Apologize First: Being defiant is the worst move.
- Communicate Measures: Tell the management company concrete improvement plans, such as “I’m immediately in the process of installing a soundproof room” or “I’ll increase the soundproofing material.”
- Change Your Hours: Cover it with operations, such as refraining from screaming late at night.
Legally, a single complaint almost never leads to immediate forced eviction. If you show a sincere response, you will be given a grace period.
If it still doesn’t work… then consider an emergency escape to the aforementioned “Soundproof Rental.”
Summary: Don’t Give Up on Rental, Stay Safely Cooped Up#
When introducing a soundproof room in a rental, following these steps is safe:
- Choose an “assembly-type” (furniture, not equipment).
- Consult with the management company with it being “for telework.”
- Care most about floor load capacity (weight).
- If it’s too much trouble, move to a soundproof rental.
While protecting your place of residence, get an environment where you can scream your heart out!
Related Articles#
- [Soundproof Rental] : Tips for Choosing Soundproof Rentals and Passing the Screening
- [Basics] : How Much Does a Soundproof Room Cost?