LIFULL HOME'S Releases Pet-Friendly Housing Research Results

In a recent initiative, LIFULL, a company dedicated to addressing social issues through its business endeavors, released findings from a survey titled "The Reality of Searching for Pet-Friendly Housing." Conducted by LIFULL HOME'S, the company's real estate and housing information service, this survey aims to highlight the challenges faced by pet owners in finding suitable living environments that accommodate their furry family members.

Survey Overview

The research involved responses from around 1,000 general individuals with experience in searching for rental properties that allow pets, as well as input from member companies of LIFULL HOME'S within the rental real estate sector. The survey revealed several interesting trends and statistics regarding the pet housing market in Japan.

Current State of Pet-Friendly Housing

According to LIFULL HOME'S data, the proportion of pet-friendly properties has seen a rise since the COVID-19 pandemic, however, it still remains below 20% of the total rental market. Specifically, the percentage of properties that are pet-friendly increased from 12.9% in March 2022 to 19.3% by March 2025. Despite the rising percentage, this is still far from adequate when considering that 28.6% of Japanese households are estimated to own pets. Additionally, pet-friendly properties tend to be rented out 17 days faster than those that do not allow pets.

In terms of financial considerations, the average rent for pet-friendly properties was about 112,771 yen, compared to 78,253 yen for non-pet-friendly ones, highlighting a significant disparity of nearly 34,518 yen. Furthermore, pet-friendly properties typically had an average listing duration of 66.8 days, while non-pet allowed ones lasted about 83.4 days before being rented out.

Experiences of Pet Owners

The survey also delved into the real-life experiences of pet owners. It found that a staggering 91% of respondents encountered difficulties or inconveniences during their housing search due to pet ownership. The most significant issues included a limited number of available properties, higher rent prices, and additional security deposit requirements for pets. Notably, 67% reported receiving complaints or requests from neighbors regarding their pets after moving in.

When asked about the duration of their housing search, a notable 15.8% of pet owners reported it took them more than three months to secure a rental agreement. The majority (25.8%) found a place within two weeks to under a month, but overall, the statistics indicate that finding pet-friendly housing takes longer compared to the general population.

Additionally, pet owners who received complaints about their pets cited noise from barking or meowing as the most common issue, highlighting the importance of maintaining good relationships with neighbors and adhering to community guidelines.

Insights from Real Estate Professionals

Feedback from real estate companies revealed a growing recognition of the demand for pet-friendly rentals. About 67.2% of participating landlords relayed they had noticed an increase in demand for such properties. However, the frequency of trouble reported concerning pet-related disputes was striking: 58.3% indicated that issues did arise periodically, suggesting that while the market for pet-friendly housing is expanding, it is not without its challenges.

Disputes largely fell into areas concerning noise complaints from pets, code violations from pet ownership, and damage caused by previous tenants' pets—an issue that many landlords voiced as a reason for maintaining a pet-free policy. While 74.2% of property owners who do not allow pets cited concerns about potential damage as a reason for their policy, others indicated a lack of direct experience but made decisions based on common misconceptions about pet owners.

The Way Forward

As society evolves and the understanding of pet ownership benefits grows, it is crucial to address the housing barriers faced by pet owners. LIFULL HOME'S is actively working to facilitate this by promoting the visibility of pet-friendly properties through website enhancements and outreach programs to landlords.

Upcoming Campaign

In conjunction with these findings, LIFULL HOME'S is launching a collaboration campaign with Mars Japan to promote pet-friendly living spaces. This initiative aims to align with the campaign's motto of building a better world for pets, enhancing awareness around the importance of accommodating pets within residential settings.

By improving access to pet-friendly housing options, LIFULL HOME'S aims to foster a society where people can live comfortably alongside their beloved pets. By addressing these challenges head-on, they are paving the way for future possibilities in the housing market that respect both human and animal companions.

For more information on their initiatives and services, visit LIFULL HOME'S or follow their updates on social media as they continue to work towards a better living environment for all families, including those with pets.