Pet-Friendly Living × Smart Home × Energy Solutions: Adding Further Value to "Pet-Friendly Rental Housing" — Standardizing Advanced "Peace of Mind" and "Economic Efficiency" to Solve Challenges for Pet-Owning Households Through Technology

Four companies—Sanyo Homes Corporation (hereinafter "Sanyo Homes"), JPMC Ltd. (hereinafter "JPMC"), Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd. (hereinafter "Mitsubishi Estate"), and TEPCO Energy Partner, Inc. (hereinafter "TEPCO EP")—are jointly promoting a project (hereinafter "this project") to develop high-value-added rental housing in the four major metropolitan areas of Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, and Fukuoka. By integrating the "HOMETACT" smart home service provided by Mitsubishi Estate and energy management functions into the "pet-friendly rental housing" promoted by Sanyo Homes and JPMC, the project aims to realize "true coexistence with pets" through comprehensive hardware, software, and services, thereby establishing a new standard for living.

【Background and Purpose of This Project】

Currently, the number of dogs and cats kept as pets in Japan exceeds the number of children under the age of 15, and pets have established their status 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 challenges faced by owners, such as accommodating multiple pets or large dogs, ensuring safety while 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 challenges faced by owners, such as "ensuring safety while pets are left alone" and "utility cost burdens from 24-hour air conditioning," using advanced solutions.

【Features of This Project】

To improve satisfaction for both rental property owners and tenants by increasing the added value of rental properties, we will provide the following solutions:

Comprehensive Smart Home Service "HOMETACT" (Mitsubishi Estate)

We are introducing "HOMETACT," a comprehensive smart home service provided by Mitsubishi Estate. By using the app to operate from outside the home and utilizing the "scene" function for automatic control, it is possible to operate air conditioners and lighting to maintain a comfortable environment for pets left alone.

Additionally, smart locks are adopted for the entrance. This allows for smooth entry after walks and easy granting of temporary unlocking authority (issuance of one-day passwords) to pet sitters, etc., dramatically increasing security and convenience (*1). This also contributes to the operational efficiency of management companies and improves the customer experience, such as by enabling unmanned property viewings.

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

Energy Solution "Enekari Plus" (TEPCO EP)

We have adopted "Enekari Plus," a solar power PPA service (*2) provided by TEPCO EP. By directly using (self-consuming) the electricity generated by solar panels installed on the property within the dwelling units, we expect a significant reduction in daytime utility costs, which tend to increase due to continuous air conditioning use essential for maintaining pet health.

Tenants can enjoy economic benefits while realizing a sustainable lifestyle that contributes to the reduction of CO2 emissions.

*2: A PPA service is a service where, by contracting with a PPA provider, solar power generation is introduced with zero initial cost, and maintenance and management are also handled by the provider. While a fixed monthly usage fee must be paid, the equipment can be acquired free of charge after the contract period ends.

【Roles of Each Company】

Sanyo Homes

• Collection of land information and business proposals for new rental property development
• Business and architectural planning that considers area characteristics and individual pet needs
• Design for the introduction of advanced technologies (IoT/Energy) into empathetic pet-friendly rental housing
• Provision of "safe and secure" living spaces that protect the lives and rearing environment of pets

JPMC

• Consulting for the planning and design of new rental properties based on market research
• Leasing activities for diverse target segments and tenant support
• Property management and operational management, including master leasing for developed properties
• Formulation of "dedicated management bylaws," including pet-rearing rules for each property, and establishment of governance, utilizing the expertise of pet management partners
• Provision of pet screening by experts and a trouble-response window through guarantee products from JPMC Finance Co., Ltd.

Mitsubishi Estate

• Support for the introduction of the comprehensive smart home service "HOMETACT," platform provision, and added-value improvement through functional updates

TEPCO EP

• Installation, operation, and maintenance of solar power generation equipment, and proposals for optimizing energy use through the provision of the "Enekari Plus" PPA service

【Reference Materials】

・Press release on empathetic pet-friendly rental housing: https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000078.000106776.html

・"HOMETACT" Official Website: https://hometact.biz/

・"Enekari Plus" Official Website: https://www.tepco.co.jp/ep/kurashi/denka/enekariplus/