Pre-check guide for owners

An address alone does not determine minpaku eligibility

Confirm the legal route, housing requirements, use rights, building rules, local ordinances, and fire safety with each competent authority.

A private lodging business requires a qualifying residence as well as the right to use it, compliant condominium rules, local operating restrictions, and applicable fire and safety measures.

StayJP does not diagnose properties, conduct site surveys, interpret condominium rules, negotiate with landlords, or file licence and notification applications. Ask the competent authority, fire department, and qualified professionals for the final determination.

This article does not decide eligibility. It is a checklist for preparing documents for the appropriate advisers. Once operating conditions are in place, the management scope can be discussed with StayJP.

Six document groups to prepare

Do not proceed from one check alone. Prepare enough evidence to explain both the property and the intended operation.

Core information for authorities

Address, current building use, structure, floors, and area
Kitchen, bath, toilet, washbasin, and residence-condition evidence
Title, lease, sublease consent, and other right-of-use documents
Current condominium bylaws, use rules, and association policy
The municipality’s private-lodging page and ordinance commencement details
Floor plan, evacuation route, existing fire systems, and host-presence model

Separate the five points of contact

Notification authority

Confirm the legal route, qualifying residence, documents, and local acceptance requirements.

Owner or landlord

For leased or subleased premises, confirm written consent for private lodging use.

Condominium association or manager

Check current rules and, if silent, whether the association has a policy prohibiting the business.

Municipal ordinance desk

Check restricted areas and periods, effective dates, and the correct notification office.

Fire department and safety departments

Confirm fire systems, compliance procedures, emergency lighting, and evacuation measures.

Four decisions not to conflate

Keep the responsible authority and supporting evidence separate for each decision.

Does it qualify as a residence?

Confirm the required facilities and residence conditions. Zoning alone does not establish qualification.

Show the property documents to the notification authority or an administrative scrivener.

Is there a right to use it?

Confirm the right and written evidence according to ownership, lease, or sublease status.

StayJP does not negotiate with landlords or amend building rules.

Does an ordinance restrict operating periods?

An ordinance may restrict operation in specified areas and periods, and its terms can change.

Use the Tourism Agency directory to reach the municipality’s current source.

Can fire and building safety conditions be met?

Measures vary with building conditions, operating model, and existing systems.

Consult with drawings, then obtain cost quotations after the decision.

Six verification steps for the owner

Confirm the legal route and authority

Do not mix private lodging, hotel licensing, and special-zone lodging; ask the authority or a professional.

Prepare qualifying-residence evidence

Gather facilities, residence conditions, drawings, title, and other documents for the intended route.

Confirm rights and building rules

Check landlord consent, current bylaws, use rules, and association policy in writing.

Check the local ordinance

Use the municipality’s current official page for areas, periods, effective dates, and the filing office.

Confirm fire and safety conditions

Present the plans and operating model to check systems, compliance, lighting, and evacuation routes.

Carry the result into operations

Record confirmed conditions, documents, deadlines, and owner responsibilities, then compare management scope once operation is permitted.

Three information groups for consultation

Keep evidence, not a simple yes-or-no mark

Property facts

Address, use, areas, plans, and intended legal route

Rights and restrictions

Ownership, consent, rules, ordinance, and fire response

Operating conditions

Host presence, rooms, cleaning, emergency contacts, and desired scope

Official sources for pre-checks

For a property-specific answer, show the location and intended legal route to the competent authorities.

Last reviewed: 20 August 2026

Frequently asked questions

1. Does StayJP decide whether my property can operate?

No. StayJP does not diagnose or survey properties. Confirm housing status, rights, rules, ordinances, and fire safety with the relevant authority, fire department, or qualified professional.

2. Can a property in an exclusively residential zone operate?

Private lodging and hotel licensing use different location rules, but housing status, rights, ordinances, and safety must also be checked. Do not decide from zoning alone.

3. Can a condominium unit be used?

Check current bylaws and use rules; if they are silent, check whether the association has a prohibition policy. StayJP does not interpret rules or negotiate with the association.

4. Can a leased property be used?

A lessee or sublessee needs documents showing the landlord’s consent to private lodging use. Ask a professional whether the contract and consent are effective.

5. Can I switch to an Inns and Hotels Act licence instead?

That is a separate licence requiring use, building, fire, and hygiene checks. StayJP does not obtain or convert licences; it can discuss operations after the facility has the applicable licence.

Summary: prepare the supporting evidence

Do not decide from the address or property type alone. Gather these answers.

Qualifying residence and legal route
Use rights, consent, and building rules
Local ordinance and effective date
Fire and safety conditions
Handover into operating conditions

StayJP does not determine eligibility or file applications; it manages contracted operations after the facility is legally ready.