Vacant house countermeasures become clear through 'partnerships'. The true intentions of local governments reflected by Vacant House Management and Utilization Support Corporations

This may be sudden, but I wonder how many people have heard of a 'Vacant House Management and Utilization Support Corporation' and know what it is.

Being in the vacant house industry, it's a term I've started hearing bit by bit, but when you just hear the name of the system, don't you feel like just glossing over it, thinking, 'Oh, another government-sounding thing...'?

I have a feeling that many local governments will be working on this system this fiscal year.
This is because, in addition to traditional professional organizations like real estate associations and judicial scrivener associations, an increasing number of private companies are being certified.

But what I want to convey today is a story more interesting than the system itself.
It's the idea that by looking at what kind of corporations are designated, you can see how that local government wants to handle vacant houses.
In a way, I feel that support corporations are like amirror reflecting the local government's true intentions regarding vacant houses.

First, what is a 'Vacant House Management and Utilization Support Corporation'?

I'll start with a brief explanation of the system.

With the Vacant House Countermeasures Special Measures Act (the so-called Revised Vacant House Act) amended in 2023, a mechanism was created where municipalities can officially designate private corporations to take on the practical work of vacant house countermeasures together. That is the'Vacant House Management and Utilization Support Corporation'.

To put it very roughly, it is a'system that makes it easier to publicly utilize practical capabilities outside of the administration'.

Honestly, it is difficult for the administration alone to handle everything from responding to consultations about vacant houses to on-site inspections, utilization support, promoting distribution, and coordinating demolition.
There are limits to both personnel and budget.
That is why private businesses, NPOs, and incorporated associations that already have know-how in the region are designated as 'support corporations,' creating a form where the administration and the private sector can work together to tackle the vacant house problem.

Designated corporations can also take on tasks such as responding to consultations from owners, managing properties, supporting utilization, raising awareness, and searching for owners. It is a very broad role.

What's more interesting than the system is 'who is designated'

This is where the main point comes in.

Looking at local governments across the country, the lineup of corporations designated as support corporations is quite varied.
For example, it looks like this.

Crassone, there are places where companies with strengths in demolition and removal like AlbaLink are designated, and there are places where companies specializing in buying and reselling 'difficult' properties like
SWAY DESIGN are chosen, and there are places where companies leaning toward utilization design and renovation like Next Nawa are included, and there are places where companies strong in practical management and repairs like
Jichitai Ad are designated, and there are also corporations that function as comprehensive consultation counters.

For those of you who thought, 'Aren't all support corporations the same?', aren't you a little surprised?

Looking at the designated entities reveals the true intentions of the local government

The fact that the types of support corporations are so different means that what the local government 'wants to supplement' is also different.

Local governments that have designated demolition companies are highly likely to be thinking about how to deal with the removal of dangerous vacant houses and the exit strategy for demolition.
Local governments that have included companies that buy 'difficult' properties may have the intention of somehow getting vacant houses that are hard to move in the market into circulation.
If a design/renovation-oriented corporation is chosen, it can be read as a message that they want to advance vacant house policy in the direction of utilizing them rather than tearing them down.
If a company specializing in management is included, they may be prioritizing monitoring and maintenance before neglect becomes a problem.

I feel that the designated corporation reflects the character of that local government and 'how it wants to face vacant houses.'

Therefore, if you want to properly understand the vacant house countermeasures of a certain local government, I think you can actually grasp the essence faster by looking at 'which corporation is designated' before looking at the system documents.

The exits of 'demolition' and 'sale' have increased. But what about before that?

I would like you to stop and think for a moment here.

With the spread of the designated corporation system, 'means to deal with vacant houses that have become a problem,' such as demolition exits and support for the distribution of problematic properties, have gradually increased.
This is certainly progress.

However, what I feel from observing the field every day is that the people responsible for the stage before it becomes a problem, in other words, 'management,' are still not sufficient.

Vacant houses do not become a problem suddenly.
It is often the case that time passes without anyone looking at them, and before you know it, roof leaks have progressed, the garden has become overgrown, or complaints have come from neighbors.
Rather than dealing with it after it becomes a problem, it is much less costly for society as a whole to regularly check the condition, perform minor repairs, and maintain a relationship with the owner.

It sounds like a matter of course, but in reality, a system that can continuously handle management before that stage is not yet sufficiently developed in every region.

That is why I believe that within the designated corporation system, corporations that perform functions such as regular patrols, condition checks, minor repairs, and maintaining relationships with owners should be more highly valued.
Considering the future improvement of the system, I feel that this is likely to be the next focus.
Oh, and to all the local government officials, please contact the Japan Vacant House Management Association if there is anything we can cooperate with (laughs).

What kind of industries and positions is this story related to?

For those who thought, 'But isn't this a story for people in real estate and construction?', please wait a moment.

The industries that can be designated as support corporations, or that can develop businesses while collaborating with support corporations, are actually quite broad.

Real estate and construction are obvious, but cleaning, demolition, and renovation companies, professional services (such as judicial scriveners and administrative scriveners), nursing and welfare providers (there are many vacant houses owned by the elderly), security and monitoring services, regional financial institutions (as loan and consultation counters), and even local startups can use this system as a foothold.

If you feel that 'my industry might actually have a connection to vacant houses,' I think it is worth checking out as an entry point to officially connect with local government through this system.

So, today I have been talking about designated corporations for the management and utilization of vacant houses.

The name of the system sounds plain, but if you follow 'where they are designated,' you can see the true intentions of the local government, which is quite interesting.
And I feel that the future challenge lies not only in the exits of demolition and distribution, but in 'how to systematize the management that comes before that.'

If vacant houses are not left unattended, they have the potential to become local treasures. I hope that the designated corporation system will become one of the mechanisms to expand that potential.

▼ Thank you for reading to the end.
If you liked this article even a little, please 'like,' 'comment,' or 'follow' me.

▼How to start a 'Regional Happy Business' created with weekend side jobs and weekday multiple jobs
'Your business might save the region.'
When people hear 'vacant house management,' they tend to think of real estate and construction professionals.
But actually, it is compatible with various industries.
In this series, we will introduce 'different industry' jobs that cause unexpected chemical reactions with vacant house management.
You should be able to find something that sparks an idea within yourself in 'Different Industry x Vacant House Business'.
Why not start with 'I'm a little interested'? Your sensibility might be the first step to changing the region.

▼ Click here for the association's website where you can read various topics related to vacant houses every day↓↓
https://www.akiyakanrishi.org/
▼ You can also see the works of the 'Vacant House Photo Contest' on Instagram↓↓
https:、/www.instagram.com/akiyakanrishi/
▼ Vacant House Management Office is looking for business partners nationwide↓↓
https://www.akiyakanrisha.net/
▼ We started a podcast on YouTube↓↓
https://www.youtube.com/@user-ve5wl5gv7k/podcasts
▼ You can add our official LINE account as a friend. Please feel free to use it for questions and consultations.↓↓