In many wards of Tokyo, the construction of rental apartment buildings is regulated by one-room apartment ordinances. This has a major impact on those considering one-room apartment management as part of their real estate investment strategy. In this article, we explain the regulatory framework of one-room apartment ordinances and the specific rules in Taito City.
What is a one-room apartment ordinance?
A one-room apartment ordinance is a locally defined restriction on the construction of rental apartment buildings. Separate from the Building Standards Act, these rules are introduced to prevent the excessive construction of one-room apartment buildings.
Specific regulatory requirements
- Minimum unit floor area：In government ordinance-designated cities, 16 to 18 square meters is common, while 25 square meters is typical in urban areas
- Requirement to include family units：A certain percentage of family-type units must be included
- Requirement to appoint a building manager：The larger the number of units, the more likely an on-site manager is required
- Securing a required number of parking spaces：In Setagaya City, developers are required to provide parking spaces equal to at least 1/10 of the number of units smaller than 40 square meters
Why are these rules imposed?
The purpose of one-room apartment ordinances is to deliberately put pressure on the profitability of apartment building operations. By preventing an excessive concentration of younger residents and single-person households and encouraging long-term settlement by families, municipalities aim to stabilize tax revenues.
What are the specific rules under Taito City's one-room apartment ordinance?
Taito City has established the following regulations.
- Applicable scale：10 units or more
- Minimum unit floor area：25 square meters or more
- Definition of a one-room unit：less than 40 square meters
The requirement to include family units is set in stages according to the total number of units and the height of the building. To avoid falling within the scope of the one-room apartment ordinance, the project must have fewer than 10 units, which means careful planning is required from the land search stage onward.
What is the impact on real estate investment?
Because one-room apartment ordinances are structured to make the construction of one-room apartment buildings itself more difficult, they have a significant impact on investment planning. If you are considering an investment in a regulated area, it is important to compare construction plans from multiple housing manufacturers and consult a qualified professional.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. Do one-room apartment ordinances apply everywhere in Japan?
No. Because each municipality establishes its own rules, some areas have no such regulation. These ordinances are applied mainly in urban areas.
Q. Do they also affect existing one-room apartment buildings?
The ordinance applies at the time of new construction, so it does not directly affect existing properties. However, if a building is rebuilt, the new ordinance will apply.
Q. Is there any way to avoid the regulation?
Possible approaches include keeping the number of units below the regulatory threshold or planning larger units that exceed the minimum floor area. Consulting a specialist is recommended.
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