購入後の30日After you buy
The things every overseas owner has to sort out — keys, utilities, tax, insurance, post and neighbours — in the order they come up. Do them yourself, or let us take them off your hands while you're away.
最初の1週間Week one
Easiest to do while you're still in Japan, or straight after closing.
Ask the seller or agent for all keys, including sheds, gates and the water meter box. Older houses often have keys nobody has used in years.
Doing it yourself
Collect them at closing, or have the agent post them by tracked mail.
If we look after it
We collect them from the agent or seller, photograph and log each one, and keep them locked away.
Electricity, water and (if there is any) gas need new contracts. Water is run by the town's waterworks; electricity and gas by private companies. Keep the electricity on if you want alarms, a dehumidifier or a camera to run.
Doing it yourself
Call each provider with the meter numbers, or ask the agent to arrange it.
If we look after it
We set them up in Japanese, read the meters on the first visit and can pay the bills for you.
Fire insurance (火災保険) is separate from the purchase, and earthquake insurance can only be added on top of it. Tell the insurer the house will often be empty — an empty home is insured differently.
Doing it yourself
Ask the agent who they recommend, or compare policies yourself.
If we look after it
We give the insurer the photos and details they ask for and remind you before renewal.
最初の1か月The first month
Property tax (固定資産税) is billed to whoever owns the house on 1 January, usually in four instalments starting in spring. If you live outside Japan, the town asks you to name a tax agent (納税管理人) in Japan to receive the bills.
Doing it yourself
File the tax-agent form with the town hall, naming someone you trust in Japan.
If we look after it
We can act as your contact for the notices, translate them and pay them for you.
Japan Post only forwards mail within Japan. Tax notices, utility letters and town newsletters will keep arriving at the house.
Doing it yourself
Ask a friend in Japan to collect it, or set up forwarding to a Japanese address.
If we look after it
We collect the post on each visit, scan it and send you an English summary of anything that matters.
A short visit with a small gift goes a long way. Neighbours notice a broken window or a fallen tree long before anyone else, and many areas have a neighbourhood association (自治会) with its own small fee and duties.
Doing it yourself
Introduce yourself in person if you're there, with a note in Japanese.
If we look after it
We introduce ourselves as your caretakers and leave our number, so neighbours know who to call.
A dated record of the house as it is now — roof, walls, damp, termites, plumbing — makes it easy to spot changes later and to brief builders.
Doing it yourself
Walk every room with a camera and note anything that worries you.
If we look after it
Our first visit is a full photo walk-through with a written report in your dashboard.
最初の1年The first year
In cold areas, pipes left full can burst in winter, so they're drained (水抜き) before the freeze. In summer, an empty house needs airing against damp and mould; in typhoon season, gutters and anything loose outside need checking.
Doing it yourself
Plan your visits around the season, or leave clear instructions with someone local.
If we look after it
Visits follow the season, and we check the house after typhoons and strong earthquakes.
A visibly neglected empty house can be designated by the town, and that can remove the reduced land tax a home normally gets. Regular care and a tidy garden keep it clearly lived-in.
Doing it yourself
Keep the garden cut and the house visited.
If we look after it
Regular visits, garden care on request, and a photo record you can show the town if asked.
鍵の管理 · Your keys
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お問い合わせ
MonoHaus is its sister company — tell us which house, and we'll pick things up from the sale.