Discover Free Vacant Houses in Tokyo: How to Find Cheap Properties

Free Vacant Houses in Tokyo: Tips for Finding Cheap Properties and Points to Note

Free Vacant Houses in Tokyo

Contrary to the common belief that free vacant houses are only found in rural areas, there are indeed free vacant houses in Tokyo.

To increase the chances of finding these rare properties in the city, it is essential to understand the differences between rural and urban areas and their respective conditions of vacant houses.

Easier to Find Free Vacant Houses in Rural Areas

According to 2018 statistics, there are approximately 8.49 million vacant houses across Japan.

Over the past 30 years, from 1988 to 2018, the number of vacant houses has more than doubled. In rural areas, particularly in regions like Chugoku and Shikoku, the vacancy rate exceeds 20%.

Data indicates that around 80% of municipalities in these areas have seen an increase in vacancy rates.

This trend is primarily attributed to aging populations and migration to urban areas. Many property owners in rural areas are unable to manage their vacant houses and are willing to give them away for free.

Human Connections Facilitating Vacant House Distribution in Rural Areas

In rural areas, vacant houses often change hands through personal connections. For example, in the Izumo area of Shimane Prefecture, property owners frequently lend or even transfer their vacant properties to young entrepreneurs. This trend has led to an increase in guesthouses, shops, and other businesses, significantly contributing to the local economy by attracting more residents and tourists.

Many property owners in rural areas are more interested in altruistic support rather than income, which explains this growing trend.

Free Properties in Tokyo

Tokyo is not immune to the effects of an aging population, and free vacant houses are indeed present. Districts like Setagaya, Ota, and Adachi each have about 40,000 vacant houses, ranking them in the top ten nationwide. Despite the high number of vacant houses, they are less visible due to fewer personal connections and the lower profitability of free properties.

Thus, innovative search methods are necessary to find these free properties.

Understanding the Reasons Behind Free Vacant Houses

To locate the elusive free vacant houses in Tokyo, it is crucial to understand why these properties become available. While it is challenging to cover all scenarios, some common reasons include:

Management Costs

When a vacant house is far from the owner’s primary residence, ongoing management costs can become a burden. For instance, someone living in the Kanto region might inherit a property in Tokyo but find it too costly to maintain. In such cases, owners may prefer to hand over the property for free to avoid unnecessary expenses.

Aging Population

In Tokyo, areas with a significant increase in vacant houses are typically those with aging populations. Properties often become vacant when the owner passes away or is suddenly hospitalized. Municipalities monitor such properties and may issue guidance or warnings to the owners. Consequently, owners may prefer to transfer the property to avoid the hassle of management.

Urban Exodus

To address the issue of overpopulation in Tokyo and promote regional revitalization, the Tokyo government supports migration to other parts of Japan. For example, individuals working in Tokyo can receive up to 1 million yen in support if they move to other parts of the Kanto region and continue working remotely. There are also incentives for those who move to the Kanto region and work for designated small and medium-sized enterprises.

The trend towards remote work, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, is likely to continue. This shift could lead to more property owners giving up their houses, increasing the availability of free vacant properties. Additionally, the use of properties as second homes or satellite offices is expected to rise.

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