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Protecting your valuable real estate assets

For many people, real estate is among their most valuable assets. It may serve as one’s primary residence, a base of business operations, a source of income, or an investment vehicle, giving it has many different facets. Consequently, a wide variety of disputes can arise in connection with real estate.
Preventing such disputes, or appropriately resolving them once they have arisen, is essential to protecting your important real estate assets.

Building collapse in an earthquake: what is the owner’s liability?

Major earthquakes such as the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, the Great East Japan Earthquake, and the Kumamoto Earthquake have shown that large-scale seismic events can occur anywhere in Japan. In a case where an aging income-producing property that failed to meet the earthquake- resistance standards collapsed in the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, causing the death of a tenant, the court ordered the owner to pay more than 100 million yen in damages.

To avoid such risks, owners must first understand whether their properties are in a safe condition. If seismic inspections reveal a risk of collapse, seismic retrofitting or reconstruction of the building may become necessary. Owners may believe that tenants must move out immediately due to safety concerns; however, the Act on Land and Building Leases does not automatically permit eviction solely for the purpose of rebuilding. As a result, owners may face significant risks.
In addition to its high value, real estate involves a wide range of risks. Effective real estate management therefore requires a reliable professional advisor.

What sets our firm apart

Our firm has served as counsel to real estate owners, property management companies, rent guarantee companies, construction companies, and parking facility operators, handling a broad range of disputes involving real estate. Through this experience, we have built a professional network that includes real estate appraisers, land and house survetors, real estate brokers, and architects. Drawing on this network, we assemble teams tailored to the specific needs of each case in order to resolve, or help prevent, real estate disputes.