How often does an empty house in Japan need checking?

As a rule, at least every few months, and after any typhoon, heavy snow or strong earthquake. Humid summers and freezing winters are when empty houses get damaged.

Can I just book occasional visits?

Yes — extra visits with a photo report start from ¥12,000. Regular plans work out cheaper per visit and include emergency cover.

比較Compare

MonoHaus vs managing your Japan house yourself

The short answer

If you live near the house, speak Japanese and enjoy the work, doing it yourself is perfectly sensible. If you live abroad, the costs aren't the visits you make — they're the problems that grow between them.

Compared	MonoHaus	Managing it yourself
Cost	CostFrom ¥14,000/month	Flights, travel and your time
How often it's checked	How often it's checkedOn your plan's schedule, plus after storms and quakes	When you can get there
Emergencies	EmergenciesCalls taken 24/7; contractor within 24 hours (best effort)	You arrange it remotely, in Japanese
Finding trades	Finding tradesVetted local contractors, quotes with photos	You search, call and compare
Tax and official mail	Tax and official mailRead, translated, paid on time	Forwarded or held until you visit
Records	RecordsDated photo reports after every visit	Your own photos, when you're there
One-off visits	One-off visitsFrom ¥12,000 per extra visit	A trip to Japan

Managing it yourself is the better choice when…

You live in Japan within easy reach of the house
You speak and read Japanese
The house is low-risk: modern, in a mild climate, with no garden to speak of
You enjoy the work and visit often

MonoHaus is the better choice when…

You live abroad or far away
The house is old, rural, in snow country or typhoon country
You can't get there quickly after a storm or earthquake
You'd rather spend your trips enjoying the house

Or both. Some owners keep visiting themselves and book us for the gaps — winter checks, after typhoons, and the paperwork.

Other comparisons

Questions

How often does an empty house in Japan need checking?: As a rule, at least every few months, and after any typhoon, heavy snow or strong earthquake. Humid summers and freezing winters are when empty houses get damaged.
Can I just book occasional visits?: Yes — extra visits with a photo report start from ¥12,000. Regular plans work out cheaper per visit and include emergency cover.

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Own a home in Japan?

We look after it, deal with the paperwork in Japanese and report to you in English.

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