What does a property management company in Japan do?

It depends which kind. A rental management company looks after tenants and rent. A condominium management company runs the building for the owners’ association. A service for overseas owners, like ours, handles the owner’s side: tax representation, mail, bill payments and contact with the city. Many owners abroad need more than one.

Do I need a property management company if my property is empty?

You do not need a rental manager, but you still need somebody in Japan for the owner’s side. Property tax notices are sent to an address in Japan, a non-resident owner is required to appoint a tax representative, and an empty house needs somebody who can arrange checks and repairs.

How much does property management cost in Japan?

Rental management is usually charged as a percentage of the monthly rent. Condominium fees are set by the owners’ association. Owner-side management with Japan YES starts at ¥66,000 a year including tax, with a one-time setup fee of ¥22,000 in the first year.

Can my rental management company also be my tax representative?

Sometimes. Some agree to it while the property is rented. The arrangement usually ends when the tenancy does, and the company may only pass on tax notices rather than read the rest of your post. Check what happens to your mail between tenants.

Can you manage a property anywhere in Japan?

Yes. Tax representation, mail and payments do not depend on where the property is. For work on site, we arrange contractors local to the property and send you a quote before anything is done.

Japan property management · for owners living abroad

Property management in Japan, from overseas

“Property management” in Japan covers three different jobs, done by three different kinds of company. Here is which ones you need when you live abroad — and the part nobody else covers, which is ours.

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From ¥66,000 a year, tax included · Property anywhere in Japan

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The three kinds of property management in Japan

Most search results show only the first. An owner abroad always needs the third.

Rental management (賃貸管理)

Who does it: A rental management company (賃貸管理会社)
What it covers: Finds and screens tenants, collects rent, handles complaints and repairs during the tenancy, deals with move-outs.
When you need it: Only if the property is rented out.
How it is charged: Usually a percentage of the monthly rent, plus fees for finding a tenant.

Building management (マンション管理)

Who does it: The owners’ association (管理組合) and the management company it hires
What it covers: Runs the common areas of a condominium: cleaning, the lifts, the long-term repair plan, the annual general meeting.
When you need it: Automatically, if you own a condominium unit. You do not choose the company — the association does.
How it is charged: A monthly management fee and repair reserve, set by the association.

Owner-side management (オーナー側の手続き)

Who does it: You — or somebody in Japan acting for you
What it covers: Receiving tax notices and paying property tax, reading the post, paying the bills, answering the city or a neighbour, arranging repairs and inspections.
When you need it: Always, for every owner — rented, empty or used as a holiday home.
How it is charged: Free if a relative does it; a flat annual fee with a service like ours.

Which ones do you need?

A house you visit a few times a year: Owner-side management. Add property checks and winter preparation if it stands empty for months.
A condominium you rent out: All three: a rental management company for the tenant, the association for the building, and somebody for the tax and the post.
An inherited house you have not decided about: Owner-side management now — tax notices keep coming and the registration deadline runs — while you decide whether to sell, rent or keep.
A house you are buying: Owner-side management from the day of purchase: the tax representative must be appointed with the city, and the registration asks for a contact in Japan.

Why the owner’s side matters even for an empty house: the risks of leaving Japanese property unmanaged.

What Japan YES manages for you

We are the owner-side manager: one company in Japan, in English, for everything that lands on the owner.

What we do

Act as your tax representative (納税管理人) and pay your property tax
Give you a contact address in Japan — including the domestic contact (国内連絡先) on the property registration
Scan your post within three business days and summarise it in English
Pay Japanese bills and contractor invoices from funds you place with us
Arrange local contractors for inspections, repairs, cleaning and property checks, with quotes in English
Deal with the management company, the city and utilities in Japanese for you

What we leave to others

Find tenants or collect rent — if you let the property, we work alongside your rental management company
Run your condominium building — that is the association’s management company
File registrations or tax returns — a judicial scrivener or tax accountant does that, and we introduce one if you need it

Plans from ¥66,000 a year, tax included, plus a one-time setup fee of ¥22,000 in the first year. Compare plans · Tax representative guide

Questions about property management in Japan

What does a property management company in Japan do?: It depends which kind. A rental management company looks after tenants and rent. A condominium management company runs the building for the owners’ association. A service for overseas owners, like ours, handles the owner’s side: tax representation, mail, bill payments and contact with the city. Many owners abroad need more than one.
Do I need a property management company if my property is empty?: You do not need a rental manager, but you still need somebody in Japan for the owner’s side. Property tax notices are sent to an address in Japan, a non-resident owner is required to appoint a tax representative, and an empty house needs somebody who can arrange checks and repairs.
How much does property management cost in Japan?: Rental management is usually charged as a percentage of the monthly rent. Condominium fees are set by the owners’ association. Owner-side management with Japan YES starts at ¥66,000 a year including tax, with a one-time setup fee of ¥22,000 in the first year.
Can my rental management company also be my tax representative?: Sometimes. Some agree to it while the property is rented. The arrangement usually ends when the tenancy does, and the company may only pass on tax notices rather than read the rest of your post. Check what happens to your mail between tenants.
Can you manage a property anywhere in Japan?: Yes. Tax representation, mail and payments do not depend on where the property is. For work on site, we arrange contractors local to the property and send you a quote before anything is done.

Not sure which kind you need?

Tell us where the property is and how you use it. We will tell you what it needs from somebody in Japan — a free 15-minute call, in English, with our founder.

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No credit card required · Property anywhere in Japan