Enhancing Value in Pet-Friendly Rental Housing with Smart Homes and Energy Solutions: Addressing Pet Owner Challenges with Advanced 'Peace of Mind' and 'Economic Efficiency' as Standard Features

Sanyo Homes Corporation ("Sanyo Homes"), JPMC Corporation ("JPMC"), Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd. ("Mitsubishi Estate"), and Tokyo Electric Power Energy Partner, Inc. ("TEPco EP") are jointly promoting a project (the "Project") to develop high-value-added rental housing that achieves "true coexistence with pets" from all aspects of hardware, software, and services. This project integrates smart home services and energy management functions provided by Mitsubishi Estate's "HOMETACT" into the "pet-friendly rental housing" promoted by Sanyo Homes and JPMC in the four major metropolitan areas of the Tokyo, Chubu, Kinki, and Fukuoka regions, thereby establishing a new standard for living.

【Background and Objectives of the Project】

Currently, the number of pet dogs and cats in Japan exceeds that of children under 15, establishing pets as "members of the family." However, in the rental housing market, "pet-friendly" properties remain scarce. In particular, there is a severe shortage of properties that address the pressing issues faced by pet owners, such as accommodating multiple pets or large dogs, ensuring safety when pets are left alone, and the burden of utility costs due to continuous air conditioning use.

In the empathetic pet-friendly rental housing promoted by Sanyo Homes and JPMC, we will solve the pressing issues faced by pet owners, such as "ensuring safety when pets are left alone" and "the burden of utility costs due to 24-hour air conditioning," with advanced solutions.

【Project Features】

To improve satisfaction for both rental property owners and residents by enhancing the added value of rental properties, the following solutions will be provided.

Comprehensive Smart Home Service "HOMETACT" (Mitsubishi Estate)

The comprehensive smart home service "HOMETACT" provided by Mitsubishi Estate will be introduced. It enables the operation of air conditioners and lighting via an app from outside the home and through the "scene" function for automated control, maintaining a comfortable environment for pets left alone.

Additionally, smart locks will be adopted for the entrance. This allows for smooth entry after walks and easy granting of temporary unlocking privileges (issuance of one-day passwords) to pet sitters, etc., dramatically enhancing security and convenience (※1). This also contributes to operational efficiency and improved customer experience for management companies, enabling unmanned property viewings.

※1: Available functions vary depending on the property and installed equipment.

Energy Solution "Enekari Plus" (TEPco EP)

The PPA service (※2) for solar power generation, "Enekari Plus," provided by TEPco EP will be adopted. By directly using electricity generated by solar panels installed on the property within the residence (self-consumption), significant reductions in daytime utility costs, which tend to increase due to continuous air conditioning essential for maintaining pet health, can be expected.

Residents can achieve a sustainable lifestyle while enjoying economic benefits and contributing to CO2 emission reductions.

※2: A PPA service is a service that allows the introduction of solar power generation with zero initial cost by contracting with a PPA provider, who also handles installation, maintenance, and upkeep. While a fixed monthly usage fee is required, the equipment can be transferred free of charge after the contract period ends.

【Roles of Each Company】

Sanyo Homes

• Collecting land information for new rental property development and proposing business plans
• Business and architectural planning that considers area characteristics and pet individuality
• Design for the introduction of advanced technologies (IoT/Energy) into empathetic pet-friendly rentals
• Providing a "safe and secure" living space that protects pets' lives and living environments

JPMC

• Consulting for planning and design of new rental properties based on market research
• Leasing activities and resident support for diverse target demographics
• Property management and operational management, including master leasing (sublease) for developed properties
• Formulating "specific management rules" including pet keeping regulations for each property and establishing governance, leveraging the expertise of pet management partners