Survey on Real Estate Inheritance and Management Awareness Among Single-Person Households: Over 40% Hesitate to Seek Help Due to Psychological Barriers Despite Concerns About Posthumous Property Neglect

Daiki Kikaku Co., Ltd., headquartered in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, and operating real estate and renovation businesses primarily in Tokyo and Kanagawa, conducted an 'Awareness Survey on Real Estate Inheritance and Management' targeting 163 property owners who are either single ('o-hitori-sama') with no close relatives or have only distant family members with minimal contact. The survey revealed serious structural challenges: while individuals strongly wish not to leave a negative legacy in their communities after death, many tend to postpone action due to psychological hesitation toward consultation services and uncertainty about future costs.

Survey Summary

[Consultation 'Lost Phase'] Around 40% become 'lost' when seeking consultation, despite researching online. Over 30% express a need to organize information before consulting.

[Concerns About Vacant Homes] Over 30% worry their home will become a nuisance to neighbors after death; over 20% fear building deterioration.

[Gap Between Awareness and Action] 'Must consider, but reluctant' is the most common response. Meanwhile, about one in four currently sees 'no need to consider' or chooses to 'postpone.' This awareness-action gap accelerates the vacant home problem.

[Hesitation Toward Consultation] 40% do not want to consult. The main barrier is psychological hesitation before having a clear plan.

[Cost Blind Spots] Approximately 60% feel 'future anxiety' about fixed asset taxes, yet over half are unaware of cumulative costs from property neglect.

Detailed Survey Results

Initial action relies on internet searches, yet 40% become 'lost' about where to consult. Over 30% have a latent need to 'organize information before consulting.'

When asked about the first action taken (or expected) when considering property management, 'searching online (45.4%)' was most common, followed by 'not knowing who or what to consult about (21.5%)'. While individuals attempt to research independently before approaching professional or administrative offices, many become overwhelmed by information overload. When asked about perceived hurdles in property management, 'not knowing who or what to consult about (43.6%)' ranked highest, followed by 'wanting to organize information before consulting (36.8%)'. For single individuals without close family, property disposition is an extremely serious issue. Hence, there is strong resistance to approaching practical service providers like real estate agents or professionals before clarifying personal intentions. The survey revealed that over 30% have a pressing, pre-consultation need: 'to objectively organize their situation and options first'—a critical unmet demand.

Over 30% worry their home will become a 'neglected vacant house causing nuisance to neighbors' after death; over 20% fear 'unmanaged decay.'

Regarding concerns about their property after death, 'becoming a neglected vacant house causing nuisance to neighbors (36.8%)' ranked highest, followed by 'unmanaged decay (27.6%)' and 'assets passing to unwanted parties (distant relatives, etc.) (26.4%)'. Compared to procedural concerns like 'inability to sell or dispose of property at the right time (20.3%)', respondents deeply internalize the risk of their property deteriorating and harming the local community or neighbors after death. This underscores the growing need for proactive, companion-style support—akin to a health check—that objectively predicts and simulates future risks and costs while the individual is still healthy, enabling pre-emptive planning.

Despite posthumous concerns, about one in four currently sees 'no need to consider' or chooses to 'postpone' action. This gap between future concerns and present inaction accelerates the vacant home crisis.

Regarding current status of property management consideration, 'I feel it's necessary but find the process burdensome (32.5%)' ranked highest. This reflects mental and procedural hesitation despite cognitive awareness. Meanwhile, 'do not feel the need to consider (26.4%)' and 'deliberately avoid the topic, thinking it's still far off (25.2%)' each accounted for about one in four. This trend stems from a disconnect: while anxious about the future, individuals perceive it as a post-death issue that won't immediately affect their current lives. For single individuals or those with only distant relatives, there is little external pressure to 'decide quickly,' leading many to maintain the status quo with thoughts like 'I'm still healthy, so it can wait.' However, this 'I'm worried, but don't need to act now' mindset is a core structural cause of Japan's persistent vacant home problem. Once health declines or dementia sets in, property decisions become locked, risking automatic transition to 'neglected vacant homes' without reflecting the owner's wishes.

While over half express willingness to consult real estate or professional firms, over 40% are reluctant. The main barrier is hesitation before having a clear plan.

When asked about willingness to consult real estate agents or professionals (lawyers, tax accountants, etc.), 'actively want to consult (3.7%)' and 'would consider if a trustworthy advisor were available (50.3%)' combined to show over half (54.0%) have interest or willingness. However, 'don't know where to consult, so reluctant (20.3%)' and 'do not want to consult (25.7%)' totaled 46.0%, indicating a cautious or negative stance. When asked about reasons for hesitation, 'feeling uncomfortable consulting before deciding what to do (42.7%)' ranked highest, followed by 'uncertainty about costs causing anxiety (35.7%)', 'fear of being aggressively pushed into decisions (23.6%)', and 'expecting consultation to immediately focus on procedural topics like 'sale' or 'taxes' (19.1%)'. This shows that single individuals seek not just practical services like property appraisal or tax calculation, but support in clarifying the direction for their property's future. Psychological barriers—such as 'am I bothering them if I go without a clear plan?' or 'will I be pressured into selling immediately?'—are key obstacles to property management.

Regarding fixed asset tax notices,