Flurry of Paperwork and Irritation

Navy Lodge: We don't have your extension paperwork on file.
Me: Well, the manager of the Navy Lodge signed it almost a week ago. I don't know why you guys don't have a copy.
Navy Lodge: Can you bring a copy to the front desk?
Me: I guess.
Navy Lodge: So, when are you guys checking out?

That was the very irritating conversation I had with the Navy Lodge before I went to sign my housing paperwork. The manager signed our request to stay in the Navy Lodge beyond the initial thirty days, but neglected to make a copy to keep in their file. Irritating.

So, with a stop in the hotel lobby, we made our way to the housing office to sign our paperwork. The first contention was that our house was listed as having two parking spaces and we were also requesting one additional parking space at the bottom of the two-way hill of doom. The Navy will only pay for two parking spaces....since our house is listed as having two, the third one was out of the question. Now, this wouldn't have been irritating if this was the first we'd heard of this. It's not. We went through this same discussion before we even started this appointment and things had been sorted out. However, no one made a note that the discussion happened...thus, we had to go through explaining ourselves all over again. With a call to our landlord, things were once again sorted.

Then, the flurry of paperwork started. Sign here. Read this. Do you need a loaner bed for 90 days? A washer and dryer? Dehumidifiers? Transformers? Microwave? Smoke detectors? Dressers? The list went on and on of things we might/might not need in our house. Some of the items we can keep for the duration of our stay in Japan. Some of the items will be collected by the Navy in 90 days. It was slow moving and confusing.

Then we learn that the Navy doesn't pay renter's insurance and for most units, the renter's insurance is required. Personally, I wouldn't be without it. There's no payment plan option like there is in the US, you pay all the insurance upfront. So that's $250 out of our pockets. The Navy will however give us money for everything else.

The total cost for us to move into our house: 875,000 yen. That's roughly a little over $10,500. They said to bring the money to our next appointment. They gave us no guidance on how to get this money out of our account. We need to get it out in yen and banks are very touchy when you withdraw that much money all at once. So, we have to perfectly time ourselves to give the banks notice of our withdraw. No money = no next appointment.

Our next appointment is next Friday. We actually meet with the agent and give her the money and sign out lease. We also may get the keys.

Our move in day is officially June 20th. We will have our loaner furniture, our appliances, and the gas turned on on that day.

I'm happy to be moving out of the Lodge. I think I will be happier when I know things will go smoothly. Once again, I'm in a position where so many little parts have to line up perfectly in order for everything to go correctly. Frustrating. Stressful. At least we'll be out of this hotel room in a week and a half.