When searching for a rental property, many people wonder what building age should serve as a practical benchmark. Building age is an important indicator that directly affects the condition of facilities, earthquake resistance, and rent levels. In this article, we explain the most suitable building-age guideline for different priorities.
How is building age defined?
Building age refers to the number of years that have passed since the building was completed. A newly built property means one that has been completed for less than one year and has never had a resident. Generally, relatively new properties are within 5 years old, while older properties often refer to those around 10 to 30 years old.
What building age is a good guideline for different conditions?
If indoor facilities matter most, choose within 10 years
You can expect features close to those of a new property, such as IH cooktops, auto-lock entry, monitor intercoms, and parcel lockers. If you are not particularly focused on equipment, properties around 15 to 20 years old may still be more than sufficient.
If earthquake resistance matters most, choose within 21 years
Following the June 2000 revision to the Building Standards Act, earthquake-resistance standards for wooden houses were significantly strengthened. If you want a property that meets these standards, a useful benchmark is one that is within 21 years old from the present.
If you want to consider useful life, set the maximum at 45 years
The statutory useful life of RC apartment buildings is 47 years. It is best to factor this in after subtracting your planned period of residence. For wooden apartments, 30 years old or less is a practical guideline.
If lower rent is your top priority, do not focus too much on building age
If the property has already been renovated, you may find older buildings with interiors that are as clean and appealing as newly built ones.
What should you check when choosing a rental property?
- Whether it has been renovated：Even older properties often have interiors that feel new
- Repair and management system：Check how well the facilities are maintained and managed
- Ground condition of the land：The strength of the ground directly affects the extent of damage during an earthquake
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. Can I safely live in an older property?
If it has been properly maintained and repaired, there is generally no issue. Before moving in, review the repair history and management system.
Q. What is the difference between the new and old earthquake-resistance standards?
The new earthquake-resistance standards, introduced in June 1981, require buildings to be designed so they will not collapse even in earthquakes around Japanese seismic intensity 6+ to 7.
Q. What are the advantages of older properties?
The biggest advantages are lower rent and a better chance of finding properties in desirable locations.
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