Selling Homes for Higher Prices: 'Zero Lab' as a New Option for Real Estate Sales
Difference Design Inc. has launched 'Zero Lab', a service that renovates and sells vacant houses at zero cost to the owner, addressing the rising property tax risks due to legal changes.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 1, 2026 at 23:56
- 🔍 Collected: April 1, 2026 at 16:47
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 21, 2026 at 21:01 (484h 13m after Collected)
Difference Design Inc. (Headquarters: Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka City; CEO: Masafumi Sugi), a renovation business operator, has systematized its previously offered '0-yen renovation' under the official name 'Zero Lab' and commenced full-scale operations as of December 15, 2025.
This service allows for vacant house revitalization at zero cost to the owner through a mechanism where the company makes an upfront investment in renovation and recovers the costs from the sales profit. This provides a new option for those struggling with the utilization of inherited properties or unused family homes, especially as the mandatory registration of address changes and inheritance began in April, accelerating the identification of vacant house owners.
### [Social Issue] 2025: A Turning Point for Vacant House Problems as Personal Risks
The number of vacant houses nationwide has reached approximately 9 million, with the vacancy rate hitting a record high of 13.8%. In Osaka Prefecture alone, there are about 700,000 vacant houses, and Osaka City's vacancy rate of 17.1% significantly exceeds the national average. Furthermore, the '2030 Problem' looms as the baby boomer generation exceeds 80 years old, intensifying inheritance. The Nomura Research Institute (NRI) predicts that without countermeasures, vacant houses could reach 21.5 million by 2033.
### 'Neglect Leads to 6x Tax': Legal Changes Drastically Change Owner Risks
While leaving a house vacant was an option in the past, the 2023 amendment to the Vacant Houses Act has changed everything. Key points of the amendment include the creation of a 'Poorly Managed Vacant House' category. If a property is certified as such by a local government, the property tax reduction (1/6) is revoked, potentially leading to a sixfold tax increase. 'Leaving it as is' has become a significant risk for owners. In this context, 'Zero Lab', which revitalizes vacant houses at zero cost to the owner, is a practical solution that simultaneously avoids tax burdens and improves asset value.
### What is 'Zero Lab'? A System to Revitalize Vacant Houses as Social Assets
Zero Lab is a system where our company makes an upfront investment to renovate unused vacant houses and recovers the expenses from the sales profit. It is a 'win-win-win' model where owners can revitalize houses with zero out-of-pocket costs, and the community benefits from maintained security and aesthetics.
#### Features of Zero Lab:
- **Renovation with Zero Owner Burden:** No burden for initial or construction costs. Risks are minimized.
- **Avoiding Tax Burden Risks:** Proper management avoids the risk of property tax increases.
- **Preventing Deterioration of Local Security and Aesthetics:** Proper revitalization protects community value.
- **Benefits for Owners through Maximized Sale Profit:** Renovation improves property value, and profits are returned to the owner after sale.
### Case Study 1: Revitalizing an Unused Mountainous Family Home at 0 Yen and Selling for 19.8 Million Yen
- **Location:** Inagawa-daibu, Hyogo (Mountainous area)
- **Age:** 30 years
- **Layout:** 4LDK Detached House
- **Original Appraised Value:** Approx. 8 million yen
**Owner's Struggle:** The owner was troubled by a family home left in a mountainous area. With poor location and no prospect of sale, it only incurred maintenance costs and was too far to manage.
**Company's Response:** Our company conducted the renovation with an upfront investment. Despite concerns that no one would buy it due to the location, it was ultimately purchased by a couple in their 40s living in Osaka for 19.8 million yen. The buyers were attracted by the remote work lifestyle in a renovated house surrounded by nature.
This service allows for vacant house revitalization at zero cost to the owner through a mechanism where the company makes an upfront investment in renovation and recovers the costs from the sales profit. This provides a new option for those struggling with the utilization of inherited properties or unused family homes, especially as the mandatory registration of address changes and inheritance began in April, accelerating the identification of vacant house owners.
### [Social Issue] 2025: A Turning Point for Vacant House Problems as Personal Risks
The number of vacant houses nationwide has reached approximately 9 million, with the vacancy rate hitting a record high of 13.8%. In Osaka Prefecture alone, there are about 700,000 vacant houses, and Osaka City's vacancy rate of 17.1% significantly exceeds the national average. Furthermore, the '2030 Problem' looms as the baby boomer generation exceeds 80 years old, intensifying inheritance. The Nomura Research Institute (NRI) predicts that without countermeasures, vacant houses could reach 21.5 million by 2033.
### 'Neglect Leads to 6x Tax': Legal Changes Drastically Change Owner Risks
While leaving a house vacant was an option in the past, the 2023 amendment to the Vacant Houses Act has changed everything. Key points of the amendment include the creation of a 'Poorly Managed Vacant House' category. If a property is certified as such by a local government, the property tax reduction (1/6) is revoked, potentially leading to a sixfold tax increase. 'Leaving it as is' has become a significant risk for owners. In this context, 'Zero Lab', which revitalizes vacant houses at zero cost to the owner, is a practical solution that simultaneously avoids tax burdens and improves asset value.
### What is 'Zero Lab'? A System to Revitalize Vacant Houses as Social Assets
Zero Lab is a system where our company makes an upfront investment to renovate unused vacant houses and recovers the expenses from the sales profit. It is a 'win-win-win' model where owners can revitalize houses with zero out-of-pocket costs, and the community benefits from maintained security and aesthetics.
#### Features of Zero Lab:
- **Renovation with Zero Owner Burden:** No burden for initial or construction costs. Risks are minimized.
- **Avoiding Tax Burden Risks:** Proper management avoids the risk of property tax increases.
- **Preventing Deterioration of Local Security and Aesthetics:** Proper revitalization protects community value.
- **Benefits for Owners through Maximized Sale Profit:** Renovation improves property value, and profits are returned to the owner after sale.
### Case Study 1: Revitalizing an Unused Mountainous Family Home at 0 Yen and Selling for 19.8 Million Yen
- **Location:** Inagawa-daibu, Hyogo (Mountainous area)
- **Age:** 30 years
- **Layout:** 4LDK Detached House
- **Original Appraised Value:** Approx. 8 million yen
**Owner's Struggle:** The owner was troubled by a family home left in a mountainous area. With poor location and no prospect of sale, it only incurred maintenance costs and was too far to manage.
**Company's Response:** Our company conducted the renovation with an upfront investment. Despite concerns that no one would buy it due to the location, it was ultimately purchased by a couple in their 40s living in Osaka for 19.8 million yen. The buyers were attracted by the remote work lifestyle in a renovated house surrounded by nature.