Over 65% of Inheritors of Parental Homes Feel the Property is an 'Asset' Rather than a 'Liability'! Shukatsu no Madoguchi Conducts Survey on Burden Awareness in Inheritance

Shukatsu no Madoguchi Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shinjuku, Tokyo; CEO: Junichiro Iino), an end-of-life support provider, conducted a 'Survey on Burden Awareness in Inheritance of Parental Homes' targeting men and women in their 30s to 60s who inherited property within the last five years. The survey revealed the current usage status, maintenance costs, and the psychological burden associated with administrative and legal procedures.

### Background
With the worsening vacant house (Akiya) problem due to rural depopulation and the arrival of the spring property tax notification season, concern over the maintenance burden of inherited homes is rising. While houses, once considered solid assets, can now be factors for continuous financial strain, it is necessary to grasp how current generations evaluate these burdens on their household finances and asset formation.

### Survey Summary
- The top 3 current usage statuses are: 1. 'Occupying themselves', 2. 'Sold', 3. 'Owned as a vacant house'.
- Approximately half of those currently owning the inherited property report annual maintenance costs between 100,000 and 500,000 JPY.
- About 60% feel that property taxes and maintenance costs are straining their household budget.
- Over 65% feel that the property is more of an 'asset' than a 'liability'.
- Primary burdens include 'payment of property taxes' and 'administrative/legal procedures such as inheritance registration'.
- Over 60% have consulted experts regarding inheritance.

### Detailed Results
1. **Current Usage Status**: 'Owner-occupied' ranked first at 34.7%, followed by 'Sold' (19.3%) and 'Vacant' (19.0%). This shows that most people either live in the inherited house or have successfully disposed of it.
2. **Annual Maintenance Costs**: 29.9% reported costs between 100,000 and 300,000 JPY, and 19.9% reported 300,000 to 500,000 JPY. Combined, nearly half spend 100k-500k JPY annually on taxes, repairs, and utilities.
3. **Financial Pressure**: 58.1% of owners feel, to some degree, that maintenance costs are pressuring their household finances ('Somewhat feel': 40.7%, 'Strongly feel': 17.4%).
4. **Asset vs. Liability**: Despite the costs, 65.3% perceive the inherited house as an 'asset'. This highlights a positive valuation of inherited real estate in Japan.

### Survey Overview
- Period: April 2 – April 14, 2026
- Method: Internet research
- Target: 331 individuals (30s-60s) who inherited their parents' home within the last 5 years
- Monitor Provider: RC Research Data