Do You Think of Your Family Home When You See News About Vacant Houses? [Survey Results Announced]

Philia Corporation Co., Ltd. (Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, Representative Director: Naoyuki Koshikawa) conducted a survey targeting men and women nationwide through its support site for revitalizing real estate with issues.

Details are available in our column ▶ https://philia-co.com/media/other/questionnaire-akiya-2/

In recent years, there isn't a day that goes by without the "vacant house problem" being covered in the media. The environment surrounding owners is becoming increasingly severe, with the mandatory inheritance registration that began in April 2024 and the risk of increased taxes on vacant houses that are not properly managed.

At Philia Corporation Co., Ltd., we specialize in resolving these "vacant houses" and "real estate with issues," and have accumulated over 1,000 cases of consultation experience. This survey highlighted the "anxiety about one's family home" that many people feel when they encounter news about vacant houses.

We will explain concrete solutions from a professional perspective to turn that anxiety into peace of mind.

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"Philia Corporation for Purchasing Non-Rebuildable Properties, Row Houses, Terraced Houses, and Joint Ownership Properties."

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【 https://philia-co.com/media/other/questionnaire-akiya-2/ 】

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【Survey Overview】

Survey Target: Men and women nationwide

Survey Period: April 20-21, 2026

Survey Method: Voluntary response via internet

Valid Responses: 500 people (352 women / 148 men)

【Survey Results Summary】

・Over 80% of respondents answered "I think of it" or "I tend to think of it".

・The top reason was "My parent lives alone".

・Anxiety due to the aging of parents.

Do you think of your family home when you see news about vacant houses?

Do you think of your family home when you see news about vacant houses?

According to the survey results, a total of over 80% of respondents answered "I think of it" or "I tend to think of it" when they saw news about vacant houses. This indicates that many people have some concerns about the future of their family homes.

Reasons for Thinking of One's Family Home

Reasons for Thinking of One's Family Home

When asked for specific reasons by the 405 respondents who answered "I think of it" or "I tend to think of it," the following five factors were ranked highest. Based on our practical experience as experts, we will explain the realistic risks lurking within each reason.

1st Place: My parent lives alone (34.8%)

It's fine while parents are healthy, but in reality, when they live alone, it's very common for the family home to become vacant due to sudden admission to a facility due to illness or injury, or hospitalization.

【Expert's View】 The most frightening aspect when a family home becomes vacant is its designation as a "vacant house not properly managed" due to neglect. Under the revised law enforced in 2023, the tax reduction measures for vacant houses that are not properly managed will be lifted, and there is a risk of taxes increasing up to six times.

2nd Place: I feel "it could happen to me" (23.7%)

An increasing number of people are experiencing the pressing anxiety of "Will I also become the owner of that vacant house someday?" triggered by the aging of their parents or their move into a facility.

【Expert's View】 "Procrastination" is the biggest risk.

Continuously leaving inherited properties unattended "for now" carries significant risks. If management is insufficient, it may be designated as a "vacant house not properly managed" under the law revised in 2023, and the preferential treatment for fixed asset tax may be removed, potentially increasing taxes up to six times.

3rd Place: Increase in vacant houses in the vicinity of the family home (17.8%)

As vacant houses increase in the neighborhood, the risks of arson and illegal dumping, as well as complaints due to the growth of weeds and the occurrence of pests, also rise.

【Expert's View】 If a vacant house is left unattended and the building collapses due to deterioration, or if roofing materials scatter and injure someone, the owner can be held seriously liable for damages. It is important to establish an exit strategy early on, before the surrounding area becomes full of vacant houses, and before your own family home becomes a "burden to the community".

4th Place: Too far to visit (13.1%)

The concern "I'm busy with work, and my family home is too far away by Shinkansen, so I can't manage it" is a typical issue in modern inheritance.

【Expert's View】 Managing a family home from afar not only incurs costs for transportation and time but also carries the risk of delaying the early detection of problems. In such cases, please be aware that there are methods to "complete the procedures without ever visiting the site".

5th Place: The house is old and I'm worried about its asset value (10.6%)

Many people are troubled by properties that general real estate companies deem "worthless," such as "a 50-year-old dilapidated house," "a non-rebuildable property where the road is too narrow to build a new house," or "a row house with connected walls to the neighbor".

【Expert's View】 Even properties that are avoided in the general brokerage market can be evaluated as "valuable assets" by specialized companies with revitalization know-how. Consulting with a specialist early on and establishing an appropriate "exit strategy" is crucial for protecting your family's future.

Conclusion: The biggest risk regarding concerns about one's family home is "procrastination".

The longer vacant house concerns are left unaddressed, the more complex and serious the situation becomes, including building deterioration, disagreements among relatives, and the risk of increased taxes.

For those who "do not want their cherished family home to become a "negative asset" in the future," why not start by correctly understanding its current value?

We at Philia Corporation are not just a company that buys real estate.

Leveraging our specialized knowledge and experience in resolving over 1,000 complex "properties with issues," we will act as a partner to take on all your anxieties and troublesome procedures, helping you protect your and your family's precious future.

▶About Philia Corporation Co., Ltd.

Philia Corporation is a real estate company specializing in the purchase and resale of "vacant houses" and "real estate with issues" that are generally difficult to sell, such as non-rebuildable properties, joint ownership properties, and row/terraced houses, primarily in the Tokyo, Saitama, Chiba, and Kanagawa areas. With over 1,000 consultations and the representative director himself holding the qualification of "Vacant House Advisor," we carefully unravel complex ownership structures and legal restrictions, finding new value even in properties rejected by other companies.

▶Company Profile

Representative: Representative Director Naoyuki Koshikawa

Business Activities: Real estate purchase and revitalization

Location: 1-25-17 Akatsuka-shinmachi, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 175-0093 Maison NOWROAD 1F

URL: https://philia.co.com/

▶Inquiries

Public Relations: Katsuno

[email protected]