“What to do if I move to a stigmatized property…?”
“How can I find out if it’s a stigmatized property?”
Some people may feel uneasy about properties that are too cheap or only partially renovated, wondering if they might be stigmatized properties.
In this article, we will introduce six websites to find out whether a property is stigmatized. Furthermore, we will explain ways to research properties that are not listed on these sites. For those who are concerned about whether a property is stigmatized, please use this article as a reference before deciding.
At Village House, we offer more than 1,000 properties nationwide in Japan with many affordable options starting from around 20,000 yen in rent. Please feel free to contact us for further information.
What is a Stigmatized Property?
A stigmatized property is a property where someone has died inside one of the rooms or within the building’s premises. According to the “Guidelines on Notification of Deaths by Real Estate Agents” issued by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism, properties that require special cleaning procedures due to the death of a person are considered stigmatized properties.
In other words, there is no need to disclose accidental deaths or deaths due to choking during everyday life to potential buyers or tenants.
Moreover, properties located near crematoriums, cemeteries, adult entertainment venues, or gang facilities are categorized as having “environmental defects.” Meanwhile, properties with physical issues such as leaks, termite infestations, soil contamination, or underground obstructions are categorized as having “physical defects.”
Six Websites to Research Stigmatized Properties (Including the Famous “Oshima Teru”)
To find out more about stigmatized properties, please check the following six websites that we recommend.
- Oshima Teru
Oshima Teru is a website known for its prompt information updates revolving around stigmatized property information.
The site offers information on properties where deaths occurred due to accidents or other incidents such as murder, suicide, or fire. As users can update the information, properties that do not fit the criteria of stigmatized properties are periodically removed.
Furthermore, Oshima Teru provides information not only from Japan but also from overseas, making it convenient to verify information regarding stigmatized properties when traveling abroad or relocating due to business trips or job transfers.
- JKK Tokyo
JKK Tokyo is a website managed by the “Tokyo Housing Supply Corporation” that provides information about apartment complexes in Tokyo. Using the “Search for Specific Properties / Pre-Notification Properties” page on the site will allow you to find out more information about stigmatized properties.
“Specific properties” refer to units where incidents such as suicide or a late discovery of a person who died alone in the unit have occurred. This information can be verified from PDF documents available on a dedicated page.
Although there are no specific details mentioned, it is assumed that these properties have had some incidents occur in the common areas or around the property.
- Naruboto Real Estate
Naruboto Real Estate is a real estate company specializing in buying and selling stigmatized properties. The information for the properties on sale is thoroughly documented, making it easy for consideration.
Furthermore, disclosure details are listed using a five-tier rating system.
★1: Properties where someone died alone or from natural causes within 72 hours of discovery
★2: Properties where someone died alone whose death discovered in more than 72 hours
★3: Properties where someone died due to house chores or accidents
★4: Properties where suicides occurred
★5: Properties where murders occurred
- REINS
REINS (Real Estate Information Network Systems) is a database site exclusively for real estate agents. Since it is managed by a public institution, anyone can thoroughly research stigmatized properties. If you are interested in a particular property, it is advisable to have a real estate company investigate and verify it for you.
- ATBB
ATBB is a specialized website that provides real estate information exclusively for agents. Since general users are not able to search on the site, please have a real estate company search for you.
- UR Rental Housing
The special recruitment list on the website managed by the Urban Renaissance Agency provides a dedicated page for verifying stigmatized properties.
Urban Renaissance Agency’s stigmatized properties include not only suicides and murders but also rooms where natural deaths such as old age have occurred. Depending on the property, the rent for the first 1-2 years is halved.
How to Recognize Stigmatized Properties
In addition to checking stigmatized property websites, you can also use the following five methods for research:
- Inquire with a Real Estate Agency
If you want to verify whether a property is stigmatized, it is reliable to have a real estate agency investigate it for you. As mentioned earlier, real estate agencies can check databases like REINS or ATBB to verify whether a property is stigmatized. As long as you are not dealing with a fraudulent agency, they should provide accurate information. Thus, it is recommended to consult a real estate agency for confirmation.
- Search with Keywords
You can also determine whether a property is stigmatized by searching with keywords. For example, on websites to search for properties such as SUUMO or Nifty Real Estate, try searching for terms like “notification items.” Additionally, check for “psychological defects,” as this could also indicate a stigmatized property.
- Compare the Rent of Surrounding Properties
If the rent is significantly cheaper compared to surrounding properties, there is likely a reason behind it. If there are no keywords that match the remarks section, it is best to ask the real estate company directly. The property might have experienced a death or suffered damage from flooding beneath the floor.
- Check the Renovation History
If the property’s remarks section mentions “partially renovated,” there is a possibility that it could be a stigmatized property. If someone died and the property was abandoned for a long time, bodily fluids could cause floor damage like discoloration or rot. Therefore, if the property is described as partially renovated, it is advisable to consult the real estate company to find out the reasons and specifics of the renovation.
- Check if the Building Name Has Been Changed
In some cases, the building name may also be changed if a murder or fatal accident has occurred within the building. The reason for changing the name is to prevent it from being found when searching for stigmatized properties online. When searching for stigmatized properties by address, it is necessary to be cautious if a different building name comes up.
Cases where Incidents in the Property are not Disclosed in the Property Information
- Stigmatized Properties Over 3 Years Old
There is no obligation to disclose incidents on the property after three years have passed. Therefore, it can be said that there is a high possibility that the incidents will not be disclosed unless they occurred recently. If you are concerned that it might be a stigmatized property, try investigating using the methods mentioned earlier.
- Stigmatized Properties Laundering
In the real estate industry, it is common to “disclose property issues only to those who will reside for the first time after it became a stigmatized property.” For instance, dishonest agents who want to conceal that a property is stigmatized might “have employees live there temporarily to bypass disclosure requirements, and then advertise it as a regular rental property.”
However, reputable real estate companies believe that widely reported incidents should be disclosed as stigmatized properties, even if more than three years have passed.
- Death in Common Areas or Neighboring Homes
A property is not considered a stigmatized property if the death occurred in common areas or neighboring homes. Disclosure is only required if the death happened inside the property. However, there are cases where ethical real estate companies inform their potential tenants or buyers about deaths in common areas (like building corridors, entrances, and staircases).
People Who Are Not Suitable to Live in Stigmatized Properties
For security reasons, it is not recommended for women to live alone in a stigmatized property where the address is publicly available online as it could attract onlookers. Additionally, those who are spiritually sensitive or have a fear of horror should also stay away from stigmatized properties.
Living in a Stigmatized Property as a Means to Minimize Rent Costs
If your main concern is keeping the rent low, living in a stigmatized property might be worth considering. Rooms, where accidents have occurred, are often renovated beautifully, so exploring stigmatized properties might be suitable for those who lack a sixth sense or who are fans of horror.
If you are looking for affordable rental properties, check out Village House‘s website. We offer more than 1,000 properties nationwide in Japan starting from 20,000 yen in rent. Plus, there are no key money, security deposits, renewal fees, or handling fees, making it a fantastic deal!
※Depending on the screening results, a security deposit may be required.
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Hello, I’m Machiko Doi, a freelance writer who writes about housing and living in Japan.
I live in an 80-year-old house that I inherited from my grandparents along with my two shelter cats and daughter.
We live a relaxed life while repairing the house.
I like to cook vegetables from the garden and fresh fish caught by my father, and enjoy them with cold beer on a hot day or hot sake on a cold day.