30 stories
An overview of the pros and cons of rental properties over 40 years old, covering rent, layouts, seismic performance, and facilities. Also explains vacancy measures and asset value preservation points for owners.
This article explains the advantages and disadvantages of a home with shop space, along with practical layout planning points from an investor's perspective. It introduces strategies for balancing tenant income and owner use to maximize the value of a mixed-use property.
A practical, landlord's-eye guide to what happens when a tenant in Japan refuses to move out. We cover the strict notice deadlines under Japan's Act on Land and Building Leases, the four recognized categories of legitimate grounds for eviction, how a Japanese moving-out payment (tachinokiryo) is calculated, and the realistic costs and timeline from negotiation through to court enforcement.
An old switch plate can be replaced with just a screwdriver. This guide explains the DIY process step by step and also clarifies why electrical wiring work requires a licensed electrician in certain cases.
A neutral overview for overseas investors before adopting VR property viewing in Japan. It compares the three types (360-degree photo tour, 3D scan, real-time remote hosting), outlines the equipment and cost in yen and approximate USD, and explains how the legally required explanation of important matters is delivered online as IT jusetsu.
This guide explains the meaning of a real estate listing sheet known as a Maisoku, how to use it effectively, key creation tips, and legal cautions to help strengthen property appeal and improve occupancy rates.
This guide explains how to handle security deposit disputes when the refund is withheld. It covers how costs for walls, floors, and water-related areas are divided between tenants and landlords, along with four practical negotiation methods, including using case law, attending estimates, and seeking help from public institutions.
Range hoods are the most frequently used kitchen equipment in rental housing, and are used to remove oil smoke, moisture, and odors every day. Even if it appears to be working, if the exhaust capacity is reduced or if there are abnormal noi
What to do when a water heater breaks down in a rental unit: typical lifespan, when to replace rather than repair, and a clear explanation of cost responsibility for landlords and tenants.
Rent increase/decrease request is a system in which the landlord or tenant requests an increase or decrease in the rent in the future when the current rent becomes inappropriate due to changes in circumstances after the contract has been si
This guide explains the differences among A, B, and C construction works in commercial properties. It covers scope, cost responsibility, contractor selection authority, and practical cautions such as comparative quotes and restoration obligations in C works.
This article explains how to lower restoration costs when vacating a rental office or retail space. It also shows why careless price negotiations can backfire, and introduces practical measures such as turnkey transfer, obtaining multiple quotations, and reviewing the lease agreement in advance.
The proxy payment system for public assistance allows the welfare office to send rent directly to property owners. Partially mandated since April 2020, this guide explains the application process, required documents, and practical benefits for property management companies.
This guide explains how to choose a rug for a Japanese-style room, from functions and materials that help prevent dust mites and mold to styling ideas such as Japandi and natural interiors.
Kyōekihi is the monthly common area fee Japanese tenants pay on top of rent to cover the actual running costs of shared space. Japan's MLIT FY2025 survey (three major metropolitan areas) puts it at ¥4,837 (approx. USD 32) a month, about 5.8% of rent. Here is how it differs from Western CAM charges, what it covers, how it is taxed, and why it is not governed by rent-revision law.
## Consumer Center Complaints Begin Not at Move-Out, but at Move-In
An overview of toilet service life (15 years), component-by-component longevity, replacement signs, and the water- and energy-saving benefits of newer models. An equipment management and planned repair guide for rental property management staff.
Flooring has no statutory useful life. This practical guide explains replacement decision criteria and the allocation of restoration costs between landlords and tenants from a rental management perspective.
This article explains the gap between the statutory useful life of a unit bath, 22 years, and the practical reality of 10 to 15 years, along with criteria for deciding when to replace it, the advantages and disadvantages, and everyday management points that help extend its service life.
This article explains the differences between earthquake-resistant, base-isolated, and vibration-control structures, and compares seven home builders known for strong seismic performance. It also outlines practical selection criteria that can be applied when evaluating building quality for investment properties.
In Japan, there is no MLS-style database of actual closed rents the way there is in the US, UK, or Australia — owners set recruiting budgets from experience, not comparables. This guide uses 2026 primary-source data to show the real cost of one vacancy turnover (about 1.5 months, ¥99,234 / approx. USD 661), the legal cap on broker compensation (1.1x monthly rent, plus a separate advertising-fee allowance), and why cutting rent is the most expensive fix of all — costing 3.6x more than a month of free rent over Japan's average 6-year tenancy.
Explains four walk-in closet layouts, including single-wall, double-wall, L-shaped, and U-shaped designs, along with storage types. Also introduces how to choose the right layout for a 4-tatami space based on circulation and lifestyle.
Coin parking management problems in Japan are shaped less by how quickly you react after something happens and more by how the contract, site rules, and management company operations are designed before opening. Unauthorized parking, paymen
A practical guide to key-related issues in rental properties. It explains what to do when keys are lost, who bears replacement costs, the benefits of introducing smart locks, and essential security measures, offering useful information for both owners and tenants.
The air conditioner in your rental property doesn't work, makes strange noises, or leaks water. In such cases, the first question to ask is, "Who will pay for the repair/replacement costs?"
Providing free internet in apartment buildings can help reduce vacancies and maintain rent levels. This article explains the advantages and disadvantages for landlords, how to evaluate cost effectiveness, and the key points to watch when selecting a provider.
In Japan, a smelly washing machine drain has two distinct causes — a dried-out trap seal or accumulated grime — and you can tell them apart in 30 seconds. This guide covers the DIY cleaning steps, professional cleaning costs from ¥15,400 (approx. USD 103), and, critically for landlords and tenants operating under Japan's rental system, exactly how repair costs are split under national guidelines, plus the rent-reduction formula for prolonged drainage failure.
Learn the six advantages detached rental houses can offer over apartments, including higher yields, less competition, and longer tenant stays. We also explain key points for improving returns and using irregular or narrow land effectively.
An explanation of the significance of the Rental Property Manager becoming a national qualification in 2021 and its impact on career development. Introducing the information real estate professionals should know, including the expansion of work scope, application to real estate investment, and stronger appeal in job changes.
This article explains the conditions, costs, and procedures for resolving rent delinquency through litigation. It also introduces the benefits of working with legal counsel in day-to-day property management practice.