If you’re considering purchasing an apartment in Japan as your second home and renting it out while you’re away, you may already be familiar with the “No Minpaku (Airbnb)” clause in condominium bylaws. You may also have come across another clause that simply says “No Monthly Mansions.”
At first glance, many buyers assume this means monthly rentals are prohibited.
In our experience, that is not always the case.
Why This Matters
At Jin’s Homes, we operate both:
- Airbnb-style short-term rentals; and
- Furnished rentals with a minimum stay of one month.
Buyers who prioritize income often prefer the former, while those who prioritize careful use of the property tend to prefer the latter.
Many of the latter also intend to use the property themselves several times a year, making monthly rentals an ideal solution.
Naturally, they become concerned when they see a clause prohibiting “Monthly Mansions.”
“Monthly Mansion” Is Not a Legal Definition
One important point is that “Monthly Mansion” is not a term defined under Japanese law.
Legally, there is no separate category called a “Monthly Mansion.” Instead, the law generally distinguishes between accommodation and residential leases. In practice, stays of one month or longer are typically structured as residential leases, while shorter stays are treated as accommodation.
Condominium bylaws, however, sometimes use the phrase “Monthly Mansion” without defining exactly what it means.
Reading the clause literally, one might assume it prohibits rentals offered on a monthly basis.
However, when read in context, many bylaws appear to focus on something different:
Preventing hotel-like operations involving a frequent turnover of unspecified occupants.
A tenant who signs a lease agreement, submits a move-in notification, and occupies the property as a resident is fundamentally different from a continuous flow of short-term guests.
A Recent Example
Recently, we came across this exact clause while helping a client purchase a condominium.
To confirm whether monthly rentals would still be permitted, we contacted the building management company directly.
Their response was reassuring.
They explained that the clause had been included as a standard provision intended to prohibit Airbnb-style operations.
They also confirmed that furnished monthly rentals would be acceptable, provided that:
- a lease agreement is executed for each tenant; and
- a move-in notification is submitted whenever a new tenant moves in.
In other words, the management company was concerned about how the property was operated, rather than the phrase “Monthly Mansion” itself.
Does This Mean Monthly Rentals Are Always Allowed?
Every condominium association has its own bylaws and its own interpretation.
We have not bumped into one yet, but some buildings may prohibit furnished monthly rentals altogether.
Others may permit them under certain conditions.
That is why careful due diligence is always important.
Our Advice
If you come across a clause prohibiting “Monthly Mansions,” don’t immediately assume that furnished monthly rentals are prohibited. Have your broker contact the building management company before purchasing the property, and ask how they interpret the clause.
In our experience, the answer is not always what the wording initially suggests.
A single phone call before signing a purchase contract can often provide far greater certainty than trying to interpret the bylaws on your own.
