Japan rental housing: Tenant liability for air conditioner repairs

In Japanese rental housing, tenants are generally not responsible for repairing air conditioning units that fail due to natural wear and tear or aging, even if the unit has been in use for 10 years. Since such equipment is typically the property of the landlord, the cost of repair or replacement should be borne entirely by the owner, provided the damage was not caused by the tenant's negligence or improper handling.

Tenants should review their lease agreements, as specific clauses may dictate different cost-sharing arrangements. Additionally, if an air conditioner was left behind by a previous occupant as a non-standard fixture (known as 'zanchibutsu'), the tenant might be responsible for repair costs. To avoid disputes, tenants are advised to report malfunctions to the landlord or management company immediately rather than arranging repairs independently.