Apartment price to income ratio worsens in 2012
According to data released by Tokyo Kantei on July 30, the average price of a brand new apartment in Japan was 6.53 times the average annual income, while a second-hand apartment (less than 10 yrs old) was 4.56 times the average income.
While apartment prices are rising, income levels are still declining. The average annual income in 2012 fell 4.6% to 4,170,000 Yen. This is the third year in a row where incomes have fallen.Read more
Kyoto Court ruling on renewal fees
The Kyoto District Court has ruled that the maximum apartment renewal fee cannot exceed 20% of the annual rent paid on the property.
On February 29th, the court made a ruling on a court case involving a 25 year old tenant who was suing her landlord for the return of her renewal fee. The judge ruled that a renewal fee that does not exceed 20% of one year's rent is appropriate, and ordered the landlord to return part of the tenant's renewal fee.Read more