For Those Troubled by Vacant Houses

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Page ID1012541 Updated on August 21, 2023

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What is a vacant house?

An "empty house" is defined in the "Special Measures Act for the Promotion of Countermeasures against Vacant Houses" as "a building or an attached structure that is normally not used for residence or other purposes, as well as the land on which it stands (including trees and other objects fixed to the land)."
For various reasons, you may also become the owner of a vacant house.

You too may become the owner of a vacant house for various reasons

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If vacant houses are left unattended...

Vacant houses are not problematic simply because they are vacant, but because neglecting them can lead to deterioration, causing inconvenience to neighbors and potentially creating dangerous situations. Additionally, repairs and maintenance become necessary, and there is a risk of increased Property Tax on residential land, leading to financial risks as well.

Leaving vacant houses unattended causes various problems

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The management of vacant houses is the responsibility of the owners and others.

Owners or managers of vacant houses must strive to manage the vacant houses properly to avoid negatively impacting the surrounding living environment, and they must also make efforts to cooperate with the policies regarding vacant houses implemented by the national government, prefectures, and municipalities.
If proper management is not conducted and a vacant house falls into a state of mismanagement, causing harm to third parties, the owner may be held responsible for management duties.

Illustration: Occurrence of vacant houses, mismanagement of vacant houses, etc., specific vacant houses, etc.

Mismanaged Vacant Houses, etc.

"Neglected vacant houses" are vacant houses that, if left as they are, may become "specified vacant houses" with worse conditions.
If you become the subject of guidance and recommendation, and the situation does not improve even after receiving guidance, you will receive a recommendation, and the special measures for Property Tax on residential land will be revoked.

Specific Vacant Houses, etc.

"Specified vacant houses, etc." are vacant houses recognized to be in the following conditions.

  1. A state that poses a significant safety risk of collapse if left unattended
  2. A condition that may become significantly harmful to health if left unattended
  3. A state that significantly damages the landscape due to inadequate management
  4. A condition in which it is inappropriate to leave unattended in order to preserve the surrounding living environment.

Subject to guidance, recommendations, and orders, special measures for Property Tax will be revoked, and if the measures are not implemented, it will be subject to substitute execution.

Brochure on Vacant Houses: "Proper Management of Vacant Houses"

The city has created a brochure regarding vacant houses titled "Proper Management of Vacant Houses." It is also distributed at the Community Development and Regeneration Division on the 3rd floor of City Hall.

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What will you do with your vacant house?

It is important to properly manage "vacant houses" and consider early measures such as selling or utilizing them.

Refer to the following and consider what to do with your vacant house.

Let's think about what to do with vacant houses

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For those troubled by vacant houses they own

If you are concerned about vacant houses you own, please use the consultation services below according to your situation.

For those who don't know where to start

(Clicking the above banner will take you to an external link)

In Tokyo, we are implementing integrated efforts for awareness-raising related to vacant houses and a one-stop consultation service that responds free of charge to inquiries from owners of vacant houses and others.

If you don't know what to do or if various problems are related and complicated, dedicated counselors commissioned by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government will work closely with experts to sincerely respond to a wide range of consultations aimed at solving the issues.

For those who have decided on the content they want to consult about

This page lists specific consultation contacts regarding inheritance matters, pruning and cutting of plants, demolition and renovation of houses, and other issues related to vacant houses.
Please use this according to your concerns.

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For those considering selling a vacant house

If you would like to consult about selling, please use the above vacant house one-stop consultation desk or each consultation desk.

Also, there may be cases where you can receive the following Income Tax special provisions.

Certificate Required for Special Deduction on Capital Gains from Transfer of Vacant Houses

As a special measure to suppress the occurrence of vacant houses, when transferring an inherited vacant house or the land of a vacant house, a special deduction of 30 million yen is applied to the capital gains. To receive this special deduction, it is necessary to attach the "Certificate of Residence of the Deceased" issued by the municipality where the vacant house is located to the tax return.
If you need the 'Certificate of Residential Property for the Deceased', please check the link below and submit the Application Form to the Community Development Rebirth Division.

Note: To receive this special exception, certain requirements must be met. For details and applicability, please check the websites of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and the National Tax Agency, or contact your local tax office.

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For those considering management of vacant houses

Managing vacant houses requires "regular inspections" and "maintenance". If it is difficult to do alone, try to cooperate with relatives or others to continue it without overexertion.

It is also important to keep in touch with your neighbors.

If it is difficult, you can also use the vacant house management service.

For more details, please contact the Vacant House One-Stop Consultation Desk.

(Click the banner below to be redirected to an external link)

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For those considering living in a vacant house

In Inagi City, as a safety measure against large-scale earthquakes, we provide subsidies for costs related to earthquake resistance improvements for houses and other buildings.

For more details, please see the page below.

For other major subsidy programs related to housing, please see the links below.

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For those troubled by vacant houses in the neighborhood

When branches or roots of garden trees cross over from neighboring land and the owner of the garden trees does not respond to a request to cut those branches or roots, the owner of the land onto which they have crossed over is now allowed to cut them off themselves.

Note: When actually cutting branches or the like, please check in advance with a specialist or others regarding the applicability of the Civil Code.

Neighboring disputes are, in principle, to be resolved between the parties involved as civil (neighbor relations) matters, so the best way to resolve them is through civil methods based on the Civil Code.

If you are experiencing issues with vacant houses that are not properly managed and are negatively affecting the surrounding living environment, please provide information using the form below.

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Designation of Support Corporations for the Management and Utilization of Vacant Houses, etc.

In Inagi City, until the city's policy is established regarding the designation of support organizations for the management and utilization of vacant houses, no designations will be made.

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Inquiries about this page

Inagi City Department of Urban Development Community Development Revitalization Division
2111 Higashi-Naganuma, Inagi City, Tokyo 206-8601
Phone number: 042-378-2111 Fax number: 042-378-9719
Contact Us for Community Development Revitalization Section, Department of Urban Development, Inagi City