Live your dream life! Explaining the pros and cons of renting a single-story property

What is a flat-house?

A flat is a single-storey detached house.

It is often called "Heike" but is more commonly written as "Hira-ya."

While the number of housing starts has been declining steadily over the past 10 years, the number of single-story houses has increased by about 1.5 times in the past eight years.

Single-story houses are popular for their functionality, such as being earthquake-resistant and allowing a view of the entire house.

As the number of nuclear families continues to increase, the demand for rental single-story homes is on the rise.

In recent years, the number of vacant single-story houses, which have been increasing, has also been renovated and rented out.

In addition, some property owners are building single-story houses on vacant land and renting them out as a way to utilize the land.

Single-story houses are popular for rent as they are cheaper to build and people tend to live in them for longer than apartments, providing stable income and tax savings for property owners.

If you can build a relationship of trust with your landlord, you may be able to sell the entire single-story rental property to them.

Why are flats so popular?

In recent years, single-story properties have been attracting attention from a wide range of age groups. There are four main reasons why single-story rental properties are so popular:

• Compared to an apartment, you don't have to worry about your neighbors.
• Create a free lifestyle
• Many properties allow pets
• Many properties have gardens

In the metropolitan area, it is difficult to secure large plots of land, so two- or three-story detached houses are the norm.

However, there are some drawbacks, such as it being difficult to organize household chores and making it difficult to keep an eye on your children.

Furthermore, if you plan to live in a detached house in the long term, your physical strength will decline and it will become more difficult to climb stairs, making it less practical.

However, a single-story house makes it easier to live in for a long time, as it allows you to see your family better and provides barrier-free access.

And unlike an apartment building, you don't have to worry about noises, so you can live freely.

Especially popular are single-story properties with gardens.

Families with children or pets can let their children play in the garden and enjoy gardening, etc.

Another reason for its popularity is that people who own cars can secure a parking space and do not have to pay parking fees.

Are there any flats available for rent?

You can search for single-story rental properties on real estate websites. However, there are fewer units available than for sale or custom-built homes.

Additionally, properties tend to be located in suburban areas rather than city centers.

Many single-story houses are old buildings, but recently there has been an increase in renovated properties.

Since there are only a few properties listed on the site, we recommend that you register for new information about single-story houses on the property site's notification function so that you are always updated.

The pros and cons of living in a rented flat

Next, we will introduce the advantages and disadvantages of living in a rented single-story house.

After understanding the advantages and disadvantages of each, consider renting a single-story house.

Benefits of living in a rented flat

Renting a single-story property has advantages such as making housework easy and having a garden.

Here we will explain the four benefits of living in a single-story house.

• Barrier-free and easy to navigate
• Earthquake resistant
• You don't have to worry about noise
• Older properties have relatively cheaper rents

Barrier-free and easy to navigate

The single-story house has no stairs, making it a barrier-free space.

A barrier-free environment is especially useful for senior couples, as they find it physically difficult to go up and down stairs.

Furthermore, since there are no steps inside the building, it is less likely that you will get injured, and there are fewer dangerous areas, so you can feel safe.

As the building is on one floor, you can see all the rooms, and even families with small children can keep an eye on them at all times, so you can keep an eye on them with peace of mind.

Another advantage is that there are fewer areas to clean than in a two-story house. This is very convenient as it allows you to do housework more efficiently.

Earthquake resistant

Single-story houses are more earthquake-resistant than two-story houses. Since they are only one floor, there is less risk of them collapsing.

In addition, the shaking during earthquakes is also relatively small.

The higher up a building is, the more it will shake.

Since single-story houses do not have upper floors, shaking is kept to a minimum and it is possible to quickly evacuate to outdoors in the event of a disaster.

You don't have to worry about noise

In a single-story home, you don't have to worry about noise compared to living in an apartment or condominium.

In apartment buildings, you need to be considerate of noise levels to those living above, below, and on either side of you.

However, in a single-story house, you don't have to worry about noise from the floors above or below, and there is distance between your neighbors on either side, so you don't have to be too careful.

However, please be careful not to make loud noises or use TVs or audio equipment at high volume as this may disturb your neighbours.

Older properties have relatively cheaper rents

Rent tends to be cheaper the older the building is.

If you want to keep your rent low, you may want to consider properties that are older in construction.

Also, if DIY is possible, you can do the remodeling or renovation yourself.

There are few rental properties that allow you to remodel your rooms, but if you are staying in a single-story property, it is a good idea to consult with your landlord about the extent to which renovations are possible.

Disadvantages of living in a rented flat

There are advantages and disadvantages to living in a single-storey house.

Since the living space is only on the first floor, there are disadvantages unique to first floor homes, such as being more susceptible to burglars and flooding under the floorboards.

Here we will explain the four disadvantages of living in a single-story house.

• It is difficult to ensure security
• Vulnerable to flooding
• The center of the building does not get much sunlight.
• Cleaning and maintenance is time consuming

Security measures are difficult

A single-story house needs to have large windows to allow in plenty of sunlight.

This makes them vulnerable to burglaries, so it is necessary to take security measures against windows, entrances, and storerooms.

The crime prevention measures for flats are as follows:

• Pulling security gravel
• Put security sheets on the windows
• Install privacy curtains
• Turn on the sensor light

If you live in a one-story house, we recommend that you use the security items listed above. It is also important to be careful not to let others know your daily activities.

Furthermore, for a single-story house with a garden, maintaining the garden is also an effective way to prevent burglaries.

Weeding and pest control are very hard work, but if you keep the area around your garden clean, there will be no signs of anyone having entered, making it more difficult for burglars to get in.

Vulnerable to flooding

Since single-story homes only have one floor, they are more likely to be flooded.

Places near rivers or ponds or at low altitudes are particularly susceptible to flooding under the floor.

When searching for properties, try to limit your search to locations as far away from rivers and ponds as possible, or on elevated ground.

You can check areas prone to flooding on hazard maps distributed by your city or town.

The center of the building does not get much sunlight.

In a single-story building, there are areas in the center that do not get much sunlight.

Also, when rooms are divided on one floor, there will be areas that are poorly exposed to sunlight.

If there are areas that are not exposed to sunlight, the room can become cold and damp, so be sure to check whether the property has good sunlight when viewing it.

Cleaning and maintenance is time consuming

If you live in an apartment building, you won’t have to clean the building’s hallways or surrounding yards.

However, a single-story house requires a lot of effort to maintain, including cleaning and maintenance.

In addition to the building, you will also need to maintain the garden on the property.

Not just for one-story houses, but for any detached house in general, you have the opportunity to use the building and grounds as your own space, which means there is more to clean and maintain.

Points to consider when searching for a single-story rental property

We explained the advantages and disadvantages of renting a single-story house.

Based on this information, we will show you how to find a single-story rental property that you won't regret.

There are only a few single-story houses available for rent, so your options are limited.

But safety and comfort are essential.

Here are four points you should check when looking for a single-story property to rent.

• Is it safe from a security standpoint?
• Avoid areas near rivers and oceans
• Are there any tall buildings nearby?
• Check the location and condition of the building

Is it safe from a security standpoint?

The disadvantage of a single-story house is security, so the issue begins with choosing the property.

The key points to making a property less likely for burglars to break into are as follows:

• Windows and other openings do not face the road
• The site is surrounded
• A place with only one entrance

Due to the structure of a single-story house, the window openings need to be large to ensure sunlight.

If your window is large and faces the street, it's easy for someone to see you.

In particular, if burglars become aware of your daily routine, you are more likely to become a victim of burglary.

Try to choose a property that is as difficult for burglars to break into as possible, such as by having a gate or a single entrance to the property.

Avoid areas near rivers and oceans

When searching for a property, avoid areas close to rivers or the sea.

We recommend choosing a location that is as elevated as possible.

One way to find areas that are prone to flooding is to use a hazard map.

Hazard maps show areas that may be subject to flooding, the areas expected to be flooded, and local evacuation sites.

It is distributed by municipalities, so it is easy to view.

Are there any tall buildings nearby?

Since single-story buildings are low in height, they will not get much sunlight if there are tall buildings nearby.

Poor sunlight and air circulation can make a room feel cold and damp, making it uncomfortable.

To ensure a comfortable living environment, be sure to check in advance whether the place has good sunlight and air flow.

To ensure you can live in your home for a longer period of time, it is also important to find out whether there are any plans to build tall buildings nearby in the future.

Check the location and condition of the building

Many single-story properties are relatively old, so be sure to check the location and building.

We recommend checking the status of renovations of the building and the maintenance of the facilities.

When viewing the property, be sure to check whether the facilities are available and the condition of the wallpaper and flooring.

One aspect that is often overlooked is ease of cleaning and maintenance.

While the property and building are larger, there are more areas to clean and more household chores to do, such as maintaining the property's garden, which are not required in an apartment building.

If you don't clean or maintain the garden, pests will appear and if the equipment breaks down, the property will become uncomfortable to live in.

If you don't want to burden yourself with housework, consider how easy it is to clean and maintain.

People who are suited to living in a rented single-story house

So far, we have introduced how to find a single-story property to rent.

Single-story houses have many attractive features, but there are some things to be aware of, so they are only suitable for a limited number of people.

Next, we will introduce four characteristics of people who are suited to living in a single-story house.

Able to clean and maintain the facility regularly

Living in a single-story house requires maintenance such as cleaning and gardening, so it is suitable for people who are able to take care of it regularly.

In particular, gardens can become overgrown if not maintained for a certain period of time, and if you neglect to weed, they become more susceptible to pests.

Pests are unhygienic, so it is important to take care of your garden regularly to keep your living space clean.

Furthermore, since a single-story house has more rooms, the area to clean is larger.

If you soil or damage the room, your landlord will demand compensation, so you will also need to clean and ventilate the room regularly.

People with a stable income

You must continue to pay rent every month while you are occupying the property.

Not just single-story houses, but detached houses as well, tend to have larger plots of land, so the rent and utility bills are higher.

In particular, if you are living alone and want to live in a single-story house, it is suitable for people with a stable income.

People who want to live in a quiet environment

Single-story rental properties are more likely to be located in suburban areas rather than urban areas, and are often far from train stations.

So it's perfect for those who want to spend their time at home in a quiet environment.

Some people who are bothered by noise and other sounds in apartment buildings have reported that their life satisfaction has increased after moving to a single-story house.

People who want to live a particular lifestyle

Single-story rental houses are recommended for people who want to live a life of their own.

For example, for those who want to live with pets, there are single-story properties that allow pets.

Most apartment complexes do not allow pets, and loud barking dogs and cats can be a nuisance to neighbors.

Living in a single-story house is recommended for those who want to live freely with their pets as much as possible.

For those who enjoy DIY as a hobby, there are also single-story properties where DIY is allowed.

You will need to discuss the extent of your room renovation with your landlord, but it is also possible to do the renovation yourself.

It is also ideal for those who want to live surrounded by their favorite interior decor.

summary

This time, we explained about rental single-story properties.

The appeal of single-story homes is that they offer more freedom than apartment buildings and are more earthquake-resistant than two-story homes.

On the other hand, there are some points to be aware of, such as security and vulnerability to flooding.

Despite the disadvantages and points to be aware of, single-story houses are popular among a wide range of age groups.

Be careful when choosing a property and find one that suits your taste.

Also, since there aren't many single-story properties on the market, make use of the notification function on search sites to get the latest information.

In recent years, in order to deal with vacant houses and inheritance issues, single-story rental housing has been built on unused land, and the number of units is expected to gradually increase.

Major home builders are already selling single-story rental homes to property owners.

If you want to realize your ideal lifestyle, consider renting a single-story property.