An overview of the facilities a minpaku needs, building safety measures, the conditions under which fire safety equipment is required, and how to obtain a fire safety compliance certificate.
Required facilities
There are four: a kitchen, a bathroom, a toilet and a washbasin. Their locations must be shown on the floor plans attached to the notification.
Building safety measures
The national "Guide to Safety Measures for Minpaku" (民泊の安全措置の手引き) mainly requires the following measures.
- Emergency lighting: Install it in guest rooms and along the routes leading to ground level
- Fire compartments, etc.: For example, when separate groups stay in different guest rooms, one of the following is required: compartments formed by quasi-fire-resistant walls, an automatic fire alarm system, or a sprinkler system
- Measures according to size: For example, keeping the total floor area of guest rooms on the 2nd floor and above at 100㎡ or less
- Evacuation route signs: Required by the enforcement regulations of the Private Lodging Business Act
If the total floor area of guest rooms is 50㎡ or less and the host is never absent, emergency lighting and fire compartments are generally not required.
Fire safety equipment
Under the Fire Service Act, the treatment depends on whether the host is present and on the size of the guest rooms.
| Condition | Treatment under the Fire Service Act | Main equipment |
|---|---|---|
| The host is present and the guest room floor area is 50㎡ or less (detached house) | Same as an ordinary residence | Residential fire alarms |
| The host will be absent, or the guest rooms exceed 50㎡ | Same as a ryokan or hotel | Automatic fire alarm system (a system for specified small-scale facilities is also acceptable if the total floor area is under 300㎡), exit signs, flame-retardant items, etc. |
- Fire extinguishers are required, for example, when the total floor area is 150㎡ or more
- In apartment buildings, each unit is assessed individually, and the treatment of the whole building may change
- If the capacity is 30 people or more, a fire prevention manager must be appointed
The required equipment differs for each property, so the surest approach is to consult the fire station before deciding on a property.
How to obtain a fire safety compliance certificate
- Consult the nearest fire station in advance
- Apply to the fire station with jurisdiction, using the prescribed form
- The fire station checks compliance with the standards through an on-site inspection or similar
- If the property complies, the certificate is issued
Many local governments require it to be attached to the notification. → Fire safety compliance certificate (消防法令適合通知書)
Hygiene and guidance for guests
- Provide at least 3.3㎡ of room floor area per guest
- Clean and ventilate the rooms
- For foreign guests, provide information in a foreign language on how to use the facilities, transportation, and whom to contact in case of fire or earthquake
This page is a translation of our Japanese page. If there is any difference, the Japanese version prevails. Japanese version