
Managed from Australia.
“We have bought two apartments in Japan and frankly could not have done it without Mailmate..both initially and ongoing”
Quick, easy stop-bys to keep everything in check at your vacant home or akiya in Japan while you are away.

“We have bought two apartments in Japan and frankly could not have done it without Mailmate..both initially and ongoing”

“MailMate took what used to be our biggest operational headache (handling akiya mail and payments from overseas) and made it effortless.”

“They are the perfect company to work with for managing properties in Japan from overseas. I was genuinely impressed and have absolutely loved the experience so far.”
A local caretaker keeps an eye on your empty house, checks security, and catches anything that might need attention. Like a home watch service for absentee owners, with an English report after every visit.
A visual inspection of the property that records visible changes that could turn into repairs.
Walk the premises and keep an eye out to make sure everything is locked tight.
Run the water and ventilate rooms. Keep an eye out for leaks or mold.
Run air conditioners and other equipment to keep them working, and check lights and switches so there are no surprises when you return.
Get the right cadence for you
Whether you need routine checks or just in the event of an emergency, talk to us.
A MailMate home check-in is a quick stop-by at your second home or vacant house in Japan while you are away. A local visitor walks through the property, checks that it is locked and secure, runs the water and ventilates rooms, runs equipment such as air conditioners, checks lights and switches, and records visible changes, leaks, or mold that could turn into repairs. You receive an update in English.
Yes. MailMate helps arrange home check-ins and agreed practical care where local coverage is available. Tell us the address and what the home needs. Before booking, we confirm who attends, the tasks, access, reporting, and timing.
No nationwide coverage is promised. Availability of MailMate home check-ins depends on the location and the requested work. Share the address so we can confirm whether a visit is possible.
Monthly or seasonal visits are options to discuss, not a universal prescription. The right schedule for a second home in Japan depends on the property, climate, time away, and known problems. Separate visits after severe weather or before your arrival may also be useful, subject to availability.
The local attendee and access arrangements are confirmed before booking a MailMate check-in. Agree who is authorized to enter, how keys or access credentials are handled, any restricted areas, and how the property should be left. Do not put entry codes in an initial enquiry.
Yes, ask to include these tasks in your visit. Running agreed taps, flushing toilets, and ventilating rooms depend on safe access, suitable weather, and your property instructions. Running water must not undo winterization or freeze-protection arrangements. These tasks are not a plumbing inspection, and persistent damp needs more than occasional ventilation.
Include ventilation and accessible damp-prone areas in your request, such as walls, ceilings, window surrounds, tatami, cupboards, and under sinks. A short visit cannot guarantee mould prevention or control humidity between visits; persistent damp may need specialist advice or an ongoing moisture-control arrangement.
A separately arranged post-storm visit can look for visible water ingress and damage in accessible areas once it is safe to attend, subject to local availability. The report can describe what was observed, but cannot certify that there are no hidden leaks or that the building is structurally safe. Immediate hazards need the appropriate emergency or specialist service.
Yes. You can request a pre-arrival check ahead of your trip, with time to consider follow-up, plus stocking agreed supplies before you get there and a clean before you return. What to buy and the cleaning scope are agreed with you before the work starts.
Yes. The agreed reporting gives you photos and an English explanation of what was checked, the tasks completed, visible findings, anything that could not be checked, and recommended follow-up. Report timing, format, and how time-sensitive concerns are communicated are agreed before booking.
The report explains the visible concern and any recommended follow-up. You can ask MailMate to help coordinate a contractor, a provider call, or another next step; diagnosis, repair, and extra attendance need separate arrangements and your approval.
No. A MailMate check-in covers its agreed checklist. Contractor work, diagnosis, additional visits, and further coordination are arranged separately for your approval.
No. A home check-in is a defined visit and update. Let MailMate know if you need maintenance, cleaning, rental operations, or broader property support so the scope can be assessed separately.
Start with your property location and the checks you need, whether it is a holiday home, an inherited house, or an akiya you are renovating. Discuss availability, scope, and pricing with the team.