Millions of Yen in Opportunity Loss! The "Subsidy Gap" in Condominium Repairs is Worsening. Approximately 60% are Unaware of the System, and Proactive Proposals Remain at a Mere 4.8%.

　

　Smart Shuzen Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo), which provides estimation and construction support services for repair work on large buildings such as condominiums, conducted a "Survey on the Utilization Status and Awareness of Subsidies and Grants in Condominium Repairs" targeting 454 unit owners and board members (directors/auditors) of condominiums.

　The survey results revealed that, in condominium repairs, subsidies that could originally be utilized are "not being used due to lack of awareness." While 75.9% of experienced board members are concerned about the shortage or increase in repair reserve funds, approximately 60% (58.8%) answered that they "do not know" about the existence of subsidies and grants. Including "specific details of the system" in addition to "the existence of the system," 65.2% were unaware. Furthermore, 75.3% stated that they "did not know at all" about the existence of systems like the Advanced Window Renovation 2026 Project, which, if utilized, could potentially provide "1 million yen per unit and tens of millions of yen in total."

Moreover, only 4.8% of board members received proactive subsidy proposals from management companies or construction companies. This structure of "unawareness" and "lack of proposals" has highlighted the possibility of a "subsidy gap" where originally obtainable subsidies are not utilized, leading to differences of tens of millions of yen for each condominium.

◆Survey Summary

■Key Findings of the Survey

• 75.9% of condominium management board members are concerned about insufficient or rising repair reserve funds.

  • Significant opportunity losses occur due to "unawareness." Approximately 60% (58.8%) of board members are "unaware/do not grasp" the existence of subsidies and grants themselves.

  • 75.3% are unaware of the potential to receive tens of millions of yen in total, as with the Advanced Window Renovation 2026 Project.

• There is a structural problem of "no proposals."

  • Only 4.8% received proactive subsidy proposals from management companies/construction companies.

• "Correcting the subsidy gap" through third-party intervention is a solution to the repair reserve fund problem.

  • 54.2% responded that "construction consideration would progress" if subsidies/grants were available.

  • 57.3% expressed intent to consult with third-party experts knowledgeable about subsidy applications.

■Survey Outline

• Survey Name: Survey on the Utilization Status and Awareness of Subsidies and Grants in Condominium Repairs

• Target: Unit owners and experienced board members/repair committee members of condominiums

• Valid Responses: 454 people

• Survey Period: March 31 (Tuesday) - April 6 (Monday), 2026

• Survey Area: Nationwide

• Survey Method: Internet survey (using "Fastask" by JustSystem Corporation)

• Survey Conducting Organization: Smart Shuzen Inc.

◆Survey Background

　In recent years, as condominiums rapidly age, the necessity for large-scale repairs and equipment updates is increasing. According to a Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism survey, the stock of condominiums aged 30 years or older is growing annually, and the demand for repair work is expected to expand further over the next 10 to 20 years.

　National and local government subsidy and grant programs that can be utilized for repair work are diverse, including the "Advanced Window Renovation 2026 Project," the "Water Heater Energy Saving 2026 Project," and the "Long-Term Excellent Housing Renovation Promotion Project*," and depending on their utilization, cost reductions of tens of millions of yen per building are possible. However, the reality is that these systems are not sufficiently known to condominium management board members.

　Against this background, Smart Shuzen Inc. believes that "it is important to widely convey accurate information about subsidies and grants" and conducted this survey targeting experienced condominium board members and repair committee members. The aim was to uncover the true feelings of board and committee members from various angles, including their awareness and utilization of subsidies, the status of proposals from businesses, and their concerns about repair reserve funds.

*As of April 8, 2026, there are no plans for projects beyond FY2026

◆Details of Survey Results

■Concerns about Repair Reserve Funds: 3 out of 4 people feel uneasy, but subsidy utilization is limited

• It was revealed that a total of 75.9% have some concerns about the future shortage or increase of repair reserve funds. Already, 36.3% have experienced increases or shortages, indicating that the reserve fund problem has already become evident (※Reference: A recent survey for condominium unit owners also highlighted the serious reality that over half cut back on "food and utility costs" due to increases in repair reserve funds).

• However, regarding subsidies, which should significantly reduce the burden of construction, only 13.4% of board members have actual experience utilizing them, and the majority end up missing repair opportunities without knowing of their existence.

• Thus, amidst rising concerns about cost burdens, a structure has been highlighted where subsidies, which are measures to reduce the burden, are not sufficiently utilized.

■Dual Information Gap in Subsidies: Information Divided on Both "Existence of the System Itself" and "Scale of Reception"

• 58.8%, or about 60%, responded that they "do not know or grasp" about subsidies and grants. Only 12.7% responded that they "actively collect information and know about them," indicating that subsidy information is not sufficiently disseminated even among those in positions as condominium management board members.

• Regarding specific systems, recognition remains around 10% for each, and 65.2% responded that they "do not know or grasp them." Even for highly potential systems such as the national "Advanced Window Renovation 2026 Project" (8.4%) and "Water Heater Energy Saving 2026 Project" (9.7%), awareness is very low.

• Regarding the possibility of receiving 1 million yen per unit and tens of millions of yen in total through subsidy utilization, "did not know at all" accounted for an overwhelming majority of 75.3%. Only 9.5% "knew about it," indicating that awareness of the scale of subsidy reception is extremely low.

■Information Provision from Businesses: Subsidy information is not spontaneously provided by many management associations

• Only 4.8% responded that management companies/construction companies "proactively proposed" subsidies and grants during recent repair considerations.

• 16.5% stated that "there were no proposals at all," and 48.0% stated that they "do not know or grasp them," revealing the reality that subsidy information is almost never spontaneously provided by management companies/construction companies.

• This result indicates that information flow to management associations originating from management companies/construction companies is not functioning sufficiently, which is thought to create a structural situation where subsidy information is difficult to reach.

■Promotion of Repair Work: The presence of subsidies greatly influences decision-making, and there is a need for consultation with third-party experts.

• 54.2%, or over half, responded that "specific consideration for construction would progress if there were subsidies." This suggests that proper information provision has the potential to accelerate stagnant condominium repairs.

• Furthermore, 57.3% responded that they "want to consult" a third-party expert. The need for expert support from a neutral standpoint is high for collecting and applying for subsidy information, which changes annually and has complex application requirements (※Reference: A recent survey for condominium unit owners also showed that 28.6% of people "don't know if it's possible to curb increases in reserve funds by reviewing construction companies, etc., but want to take action," indicating a high demand for external experts for overall construction cost optimization, not just subsidies).

■Expert Comment

◆Outline of "Smart Shuzen"

　Estimation and construction support services for common area work such as large-scale repairs of condominiums and large buildings. Professionals conduct estimation assessments utilizing a unique estimation database, enabling cost reduction for repair work. In addition, expert consultants thoroughly accompany clients from deterioration diagnosis to introduction of construction companies and construction support, providing consistent support. By performing various adjustments on behalf of clients, we save them trouble while clearly explaining specialized content. Since there are no contracts or fees for clients, it can be utilized as a second opinion without burden even if estimates from other companies already exist.

Service Site: https://smart-shuzen.jp

Owned Media: https://smart-shuzen.jp/media

◆About Smart Shuzen Inc.

　In addition to "Smart Shuzen," which provides estimation and construction support services for common area work such as large-scale repairs of condominiums and large buildings, the company is developing businesses in the building regeneration domain, including "Smart Rebuilding (Beta Version)" which visualizes the value of condominium rebuilding, "Smart Shuzen Advisor" which assesses the estimated cost of repair work for large buildings, and joint development of financial products for management associations. The aim is for condominium management associations and real estate owners without specialized knowledge to be able to transact fairly, unaffected by industry circumstances.

Recruitment強化中 due to business expansion

Smart Shuzen Inc. is strengthening recruitment for business expansion and the launch of new businesses.

We are looking for colleagues who share the desire to "change the common sense of repair work" in the repair market, where much room for innovation remains, and to grow together in future challenges.

We are recruiting for a wide range of positions including consultants and marketing. Please see the recruitment page for details.

https://smart-shuzen.jp/company/recruitment

◆Company Overview

• Trade Name: Smart Shuzen Inc.

• Representative: Kenjiro Toyoda

• Capital: 849,960,994 JPY (including reserves)

• Member Organizations: Keidanren (Japan Business Federation) Corporate Member

• Office Registration: Class 1 Architect Office (Tokyo Governor Registration No. 66294)

• Business Activities:

  • Estimation, selection support, and construction support services for common area work of large buildings

  • Assessment services for estimated costs of repair work for large buildings

  • Visibility service for the economics and burden of condominium rebuilding (Beta Version)

• Location: IsaI AkasakA 510, 5-2-33 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo

• Company URL: https://smart-shuzen.jp/company

◆Contact Us

Please contact us via the form below for interview requests, service application inquiries, consultation regarding construction company registration, and various partnership inquiries.

Inquiry Form: https://smart-shuzen.jp/#contact