Setagaya Ward, a residential area in Tokyo, is grappling with a unique challenge. With over 50,000 vacant houses, it has the highest number of vacant properties among all municipalities in Japan. The local government receives around 200 inquiries annually regarding these properties.
Residents are concerned about various issues related to vacant houses, such as:
- Safety Concerns:Â Abandoned properties are often in disrepair, posing risks of structural collapse or fire.
- Pest Infestation:Â Overgrown vegetation and neglect lead to increased wildlife activity, such as raccoons nesting on roofs.
- Aesthetic Degradation:Â Vacant houses often become eyesores, with garbage accumulation and unkempt gardens affecting the neighborhood's appearance.
Since 2021, Setagaya Ward has been collaborating with the private sector to address the vacant house issue. A one-stop consultation service has been established, providing owners with advice and solutions for managing or selling their properties.
Vacant houses can have significant economic impacts, leading to declining property values and reduced tax revenues for local governments. Moreover, the presence of vacant houses can deter potential residents and investors, further exacerbating the issue.
by fujiwara___
2 comments
Where is the list of house?
So many of these governments complain but don’t even do a drive my photo session.
Oh… Is this an advertising for your company? I see…
This issue isn’t new. My small town has had an Akiya bank system since 2005. I checked the website there were two properties listed, one was a shithole listed at like 7 million, and the other one of them was already sold or whatever. Meanwhile, there are over 100 houses that are empty but you wouldn’t know about them using the online system, you need to either directly work with someone from the town office or talk to your neighbors and see who wants to get rid of a home.
They need to create some kind of automatic akiya designation system that lists akiya automatically online for sale once it meets certain criteria such as 3 years of unpaid taxes with no contact from a potential owner. The town can do it themselves or outsource some of the work to a real estate company. Then take a portion of the sale of each akiya and use it to tear down the worst of the worst akiya, create a fund for people who bought akiya to renovate, or build small parks for children wear there was akiya that was torn down. They should also give big discounts and first options to buy to connecting properties. Purchase this akiya on your property, and we will give you 5 years of no property taxes on that land. There are so many things they could do.