Ok – this sounds like an unusual post at the beginning. Like the title says: who actually owns the apartment I rent, and is it possible for me to find out?
I know in Japan it can be common to never know your landlord, never even meet once. I have lived in the same apartment for almost 5 years now. There is a water leak (pipe under the floor) and I cannot use water until it is repaired. Ready? This is month #3. Wtf?! (by the way – not a water leak that I caused). The previous guy at the rental agency told me (accidentally maybe?) that the rental agency itself was the true owner. New guy won’t answer. I don’t want to contact / stalk the actual owner – I just think they are dragging their feet on repairs (costs), or want us out. No idea. I use a laundromat, shower at work, wc at 7-11. I’m a good tenant with zero issues. What the hell? Possible to research and find out the actual owner?
17 comments
Ownership is all public record (though a company might be the registered owner). 2 months without water and you don’t have a lawyer yet? Geez, apparently doing the right thing is not sufficient motivation for them , so it’s up to you to manufacture that motivation for them.
Land & building ownership is a matter of public record. You first need to get the actual land/building address(es), which are not the same as the address you use for package or postal delivery. Seriously, there is a separate “real” address. You can look this up at the land office. Then you have to go to the legal affairs bureau (法務局) to get the ownership records. The 法務局 cannot help you if you do not already have the real land/building address, so don’t waste your time trying.
Really though, you should contact the Consumer Affairs Agency. Dial 188 if you speak Japanese or go to https://www.kokusen.go.jp/ncac_index_e.html if you don’t. They will advise you on your options.
The owner’s name should be on your rental contract.
I think you can ask for a rent reduction in this case. If the apartment isn’t livable due to such a reason then it’s kind of a breach of contract and you can ask for a rent reduction until it’s fixed.
You only mention the rental agency, but normally it’s the management company that matters here. Maybe they’re the same in your case?
Ref: https://kiberin.com/water-leak-in-rent/#Part3
The owners name, and contact, should be on your rental contract.
If you were required to use a guarantor company, you can try reach out to them for help as well.
Check your 重要事項説明書 – Explanation of Important Matters. It’s required to state the name of the registered building and land owner(s), as well as the entity with whom you have a lease agreement, in case they’re not the same.
Only in japan would someone live 3 months without running water. The cultural necessity to “endure” is starting to rub off on the gaijins now.
Go to the physical location of the real estate agency and ask for a solution. That’s literally their job.
Article 611 of the Civil Code stipulates that a tenant is entitled to a rent reduction for the entire period. The guideline from the Japan Housing Management Association is 30% for not being able to use the toilet for more than 1 day, 10% for not being able to use the bath/shower for more than 3 days, 30% for no water for more than 2 days.
You CAN claim this retroactively.
[Contact consumer affairs](https://www.kokusen.go.jp/e-hello/map/index.html).
I wouldn’t bother with the landlord.
If it was me, I would send them a registered letter (oldschool, like out of paper, sent from the post office with stamps and all that jazz), where I give them a week or two to fix the issue, or else I’d start to use my water again as usual; the damage to the building that that creates is their problem then. Alternatively, they can rent a hotel room for you while it’s getting fixed.
Yakuza boss owns your apartment
They are dragging their feet because you are allowing them to. A water leak is an emergency and fixing it should take a day or two. You should have hired a lawyer after a week of not having water in your home.
Some really helpful answers here. I want to say thanks to everyone who offered a solution or two. Much appreciated. This has been difficult (hot and humid summer makes it extra fun). I am researching some of these answers now. Many, many thanks. (And to the 2-3 snarky answers…you’re not nearly as witty and funny as you think you are. But, hey – you keep being you)
Additional information (sorry to bore everyone):
I paid June 1 rent, then on June 9 they told me not to use the water. I assumed a day or two. Dozens of unanswered emails and messages later…nothing) July 1, I paid 1 jpy in rent. Finally an answer – we’re looking into it. August 1 – I paid 1 jpy in rent. I told them I am suing – enough is enough. Supposedly repairs will start next week. (To those who say they would never stand for this, I agree. But you also get nervous with your visa, your business license, etc. You get worried that someone can bring the hammer down on you)
Not a sketchy sublet or yakuza – JP Returns. I believe a pretty big rental management company. Latest guy claims they have had employee turnover issues, etc.
My accountant couldn’t find an owner name on the lease. She said it was pretty confusing – probably a trust type entity set up. So could be a corporate owned apartment (her thought). I just don’t know. And this isn’t a skeevy area – it’s a pretty decent area, nice building. I’ve never experienced anything like this. (I lived in China and Florida for years – never dealt with crap like this before. Agh!)
Thanks again everyone – really helpful. The water wars continue
I live in a 40+ year old 2 storey apartment kind of deal, round 80% of the rooms are empty, and have met the owner of my unit a couple of times. Around to check on something for other renters. Old guy like 65 ish, showed up with his assistant in a new Veilfire. Chill as can be though, offered me a cheap parking solution if I wanted to switch to a white plate.
He is chilling, the people at Able or ARC or whoever it is, they are hating life going to work and suck to deal with.
Dude, how have you waited this long? Lol
There is owner contact details in one of the contract sheet. We were informed to contact directly only in emergency cases like pipe burst, leakage and so on. Last year, there was leakage on my living room from balcony above. i contacted the real estate and they told me to contact owner. I asked them to send me an email confirming that they told me to contact owner just for the record😅. But they never did, but instead I was called by maintenance department later that day, booked a date to fix the balcony leakage and they fixed it up in a week. They even painted the whole inner side of the wall which was rusty and dirty. May be they showed the pic of the balcony and discussed with the owner. But I have never had a contact with owner in my 10 stay in Japan.
It’s mine. Don’t spill stuff on the tatami.