25 stories
A clear explanation of shikibiki, a rental custom unique to western Japan. Covers its meaning, relationship to security deposits, how it differs from a refundable deposit, typical amounts of about 1.6 months’ rent, avoidance methods, and legal validity.
This guide clearly explains how leaseback, or sale-and-leaseback, works. It covers why owners can keep living in the home after selling, the benefit of no fixed-asset tax burden, and the risks of lower sale prices and rising rent.
An essential guide to mortgage liens in real estate transactions. It covers how they work, their advantages and disadvantages, and how they differ from revolving mortgage liens, so you know the key points before taking out a home loan.
This guide explains the differences among wear and tear, aging deterioration, and special damage from a property management company's perspective. Understand when costs fall on the tenant and how security deposit refunds work to prevent move-out disputes before they arise.
Explains the definition of deposit amortization, also known as shikibiki, how it differs from a security deposit, typical amortized amounts, accounting treatment, and journal entries. Also covers practical points investors should know, including its VAT treatment for commercial properties.
A clear guide for real estate investors to asset retirement obligations, covering definitions, journal entries, calculation methods, and profit impact. It also explains simplified deposit treatment and the relationship with depreciation.
Thirty tsubo is about 99 square meters or 60 tatami mats. Learn how it compares with average detached-home sizes, what building coverage ratio means, and how to design a spacious, comfortable home.
A comprehensive guide to the useful life of steel structures from both legal and physical perspectives, including depreciation calculations, effects on mortgage screening, and how to respond after the statutory useful life has passed.
A clear guide to the differences between building area, total floor area, and building size. Learn the basics of building coverage ratio and floor area ratio, and why area calculations can vary by document.
Restoration to original condition means that the tenant restores the damage to the extent required by law or contract when moving out of the rental property. This does not mean returning the property to the exact same condition as when it w
A Land Utilization Planner is a professional qualification covering land-related law, taxation, and business planning. This article clearly explains the benefits of obtaining the qualification, the outline of the examination, and how it can be applied in real estate practice.
This article explains the features of UR rental housing, how it differs from public housing, and its advantages and disadvantages. A practical reference for choosing rental properties with no key money, brokerage fees, or renewal fees.
A rent roll is a summary sheet that shows the leasing status of an income-producing property. This article explains how to read it and 10 key points to review. Essential reading for those considering the purchase of an investment property.
Explains the meaning of “as-is condition” in real estate. Clarifies the definitions of as-is transfer and priority of current condition, the non-conformity liability framework revised under Japan’s 2020 Civil Code reform, and practical points for avoiding disputes.
In Japan’s rental market, `shikikin` (敷金, security deposit), `shokyakukin` (償却金, non-refundable amortized deposit), `shikibiki` (敷引き, fixed non-refundable deduction), and `hoshokin` (保証金, guarantee deposit) may sound similar, but they diffe
A lessor refers to the landlord or property owner. This article explains, from a practical standpoint, the three key obligations involved in allowing use and enjoyment, making repairs, and reimbursing expenses, as well as the steps for starting rental management.
Explains the definition and responsibilities of real estate developers and how they differ from general contractors. Provides a professional overview of the industry, from site acquisition and marketing to construction oversight and sales.
An explanation of key money, its origin, the typical market rate of one month's rent, and how it differs from a deposit. Also covers pitfalls of no-key-money rentals and how to negotiate a reduction.
In Japan-specific residential leasing, **shikikin** (敷金) is money a tenant deposits with the landlord under a lease agreement. It is applied to unpaid rent or damage caused intentionally or negligently by the tenant.
A clear guide to the meaning of real estate developers, their group classifications such as former zaibatsu, railway, and independent lines, and their business flow from land acquisition to management. Also explains how they differ from general contractors and how investors should assess them.
An explanation of small-lot real estate investing, where one property is divided into smaller units and funded by multiple investors. Learn the differences among anonymous partnership, voluntary partnership, and rental models, as well as the benefits of small-scale investing, tax planning, and inheritance planning.
This guide explains how free rent properties work, along with their advantages, disadvantages, and key points regarding penalty clauses. It provides a thorough overview from both the tenant and owner perspectives. INA&Associates.
Whether consumption tax applies when buying a used condo depends on whether the seller is an individual or a business. This guide also explains the impact on mortgage tax deductions, how to identify the seller type, and taxation of brokerage fees.
This article explains what defines a full-time investor, how much capital is typically needed, the features of different asset classes such as stocks, FX, and real estate, and the differences from part-time investing. It also examines the real-world advantages and disadvantages of this lifestyle.
J-REITs are investment products that let you become a fractional owner of real estate. They can be purchased easily through a securities account and are attractive for their stable distributions of around 3% to 5%. This guide explains how to choose J-REITs and the risks to watch.