Hi everyone. So I read all the Wiki for this sub, and I also Googled, and I'm looking for any personal knowledge on foreigners buying property in Japan – specifically an apartment, in Tokyo – and then renting it out via Airbnb.
First off, my post doesn't actually fall under 'Housing', since the Wiki for this sub suggested that only posts about Rentals go under Housing.
I searched on Google, and it seemed to suggest that 'anyone' can buy property in Japan, if they want, and that they can also rent out their property via Airbnb, once they apply for proper license, do all the paperwork, etc. However, I find it hard to believe it's really 'that easy'? I would have assumed that it would not be that easy, and in a place like Japan, and for foreigners.
I was also seeing apartments for sale categorized as either Properties for Sale, vs 'Invest to Income' properties for sale (with a For Sale Price indicated, along with the 'gross yield'). Does anyone know what that means exactly…what the difference is in those two categories? In other words, so long as someone owns a property, could they not rent it out if they wanted to…and in that respect, gain 'income' from that rental? Or is the idea that, in Japan, or maybe more specifically in Tokyo, that if you buy a property in certain buildings, that it must be considered your Primary Residence, and that it's only in buildings that offer 'Invest to Income' properties, that you are allowed to rent out the property? If the latter, could that likely mean that such properties aren't as well managed…or that there may be quality-of-life issues ('bad tenants', loud parties, a constant flow of people moving in/out etc.) in such buildings, such that it makes these buildings less desirable for those looking to actually LIVE there?
Thanks!
by yippee1999