Complete Guide to Maintaining Your Rental Property and Managing Procedures During Extended Hospitalization and Recovery

When you suddenly need hospitalization for surgery or require a long-term recovery, you may find yourself without the bandwidth to handle the various issues that arise regarding your rental property. This article explains, step by step, how to manage your rental property during extended hospitalization and recovery.

How to Respond Based on Length of Hospital Stay

Short-term Hospitalization (1–2 weeks or less)

For short-term hospitalization, no special procedures related to your lease are generally necessary. Confirm your automatic rent payment settings and ensure your payment account has sufficient balance.

Mid-term Hospitalization (1–3 months)

During this period, you'll need to decide whether to keep your apartment or terminate your lease. In most cases, keeping the apartment makes sense if you're expecting to return to work and resume your previous life after discharge, but if you're facing heavy hospitalization costs, termination is also an option.

Long-term Hospitalization (3 months or longer)

With a long-term hospitalization, continuing to pay rent while also covering hospitalization costs can become economically difficult. It becomes important to use government support programs such as housing assistance (part of welfare benefits) or housing stabilization grants, as well as to contact family members to request their help in handling matters on your behalf.

Automatic Rent Payments and Account Balance Management

The most common problem during hospitalization is rent payment delinquency due to insufficient account balance. Once your hospitalization is confirmed, make sure to check the following:

1. Confirm your payment account balance: Ensure you have at least 3 months' worth of rent available

1. Give someone access to your bank account: You can ask family members, a court-appointed guardian, or a voluntary guardian to manage your account

1. No need to contact your guarantor company: A guarantor company cannot terminate your contract simply because you are hospitalized. However, if nonpayment continues, the case will proceed through the guarantor company.

Contacting Your Property Management Company

We recommend notifying your property management company as soon as possible about your long-term hospitalization. Doing so offers several benefits:

• •You can update your emergency contact information with the hospital or family details
• •Your property management company will know whom to contact in case of equipment problems (such as water leaks or air-conditioning failures)
• •Communication becomes easier if there are any delays in rent payment

Your property management company cannot unilaterally terminate your contract simply because you are hospitalized (this is protected under Japan's tenant protection laws). Feel free to contact them with confidence.

Handling Lease Renewal Through a Proxy

If your lease renewal date comes while you are hospitalized, a family member or proxy can handle the renewal procedures on your behalf. Notify your property management company that you are hospitalized and have designated a proxy to handle the renewal, and prepare a power of attorney document.

Your power of attorney should include:

• •Your name and address (as the principal)
• •The name and address of the proxy
• •The scope of the delegation (for example, "I delegate all lease renewal procedures")
• •The date, your signature, and seal (stamp)

Some property management companies may request a hospitalization certificate.

When to Consider Terminating Your Lease During Long-term Hospitalization

Consider lease termination seriously if any of the following apply:

1. It is certain that you will not return to your current residence after discharge (for example, moving to a care facility or a family member's home)

1. Your hospitalization lasts 3 months or longer and you cannot foresee a return to independent living

1. The double burden of rent and hospitalization costs is straining your household budget

If you decide to terminate your lease, notify your property management company while respecting the required notice period (typically 1–2 months before moving out). If you cannot visit in person because you are hospitalized, you can handle the procedures through a proxy with a power of attorney document.

Using Financial Support Programs

If your income stops due to long-term hospitalization, there are government support programs available:

• •Housing Stabilization Grant: If you lose your job or experience reduced income and cannot pay rent, you can receive housing assistance in the amount of your rent (up to 9 months). Apply at your municipal or ward office's poverty relief support window.

• •Injury and Sickness Allowance (for company employees and civil servants): If you take time off from work due to illness or injury, you can receive approximately two-thirds of your salary for up to 1 year and 6 months.

• •Housing Assistance under Welfare Benefits: If your income falls below the minimum living standard, you can receive housing assistance to cover your rent.

Conclusion

Managing your rental property during a long-term hospitalization starts with three key steps: ensuring automatic rent payments are set up, notifying your property management company, and designating a proxy to act on your behalf. While you remain uncertain about your living situation after discharge, the basic strategy is to maintain your lease while monitoring the situation. If finances become tight, actively use government support programs such as housing stabilization grants.