Real Estate Transaction Business Law - Real Estate Transaction Business Law

A consumer protection law to ensure fairness in real estate transactions. Law No. 176 of 1952. Anyone who wishes to engage in real estate transactions must obtain a license. The licensing standards are based on a system of police permission, and reasons for denial are limited to passive impediments such as a certain criminal record, a history of license revocation, a history of misconduct in the real estate transaction business, or a clear possibility of misconduct. Reasons for denial include the relationship or balance between supply and demand, and opposition from fellow traders. In cases where a licensed trader acts unfairly, causes damage to parties involved in the transaction, or violates this law, necessary instructions may be issued, and sanctions such as the suspension or revocation of the license may be issued. Licensed traders must appoint a real estate transaction specialist for each office. In addition, they must deposit a business guarantee at the deposit office nearest their main office. Those who have transacted with a real estate transaction business operator in relation to the real estate transaction business have the right to receive repayment of the business guarantee for claims arising from the transaction. The principle of freedom of trade is restricted in real estate transactions from the perspective of consumer protection. For example, these include the prohibition of exaggerated advertising, the prohibition of advertising and concluding contracts before development permission and building confirmation have been obtained, restrictions on concluding sales contracts for real estate that are not owned by the buyer, clear indication of the type of transaction (seller, intermediary contract, agency contract), explanation of important matters in writing, provision of a document at the time of concluding a contract, the withdrawal of a purchase offer made at a location other than an office, restrictions on the amount of damages, the amount of the deposit, and special provisions regarding liability for defects, preservation of advance payments, and statutory maximum fees.

[Yasuhito Abe]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

宅地建物の取引の公正を確保するための消費者保護法。昭和27年法律第176号。宅地建物の取引業を営もうとする者は免許を受けなければならない。免許基準は、いわゆる警察許可のシステムで、不許可事由となるのは、一定の犯罪歴、免許取消し歴、宅地建物取引業についての不正行為歴、不正行為のおそれが明らかであるなど、消極的な障害事由に限られ、需要と供給の関係・均衡、同業者の反対などは不許可事由にならない。免許を受けた業者が不公正な行為をしたとき、取引関係者に損害を与えたとき、本法に違反したときなどの場合には、必要な指示、免許の停止、取消しの制裁がある。免許業者はその事務所ごとに宅地建物取引主任者を置かなければならない。また、営業保証金を主たる事務所の最寄りの供託所に供託しなければならない。宅地建物取引業者と宅地建物取引業に関し取引した者は、その取引から生じた債権に関し上記の営業保証金について、弁済を受ける権利を有する。宅地建物取引については消費者保護の観点から取引自由の原則が制限されている。たとえば、誇大広告の禁止、開発許可・建築確認前の広告・契約締結の禁止、自己の所有に属しない宅地建物の売買契約締結の制限、取引態様（売主か、媒介契約か、代理契約か）の明示、重要事項の書面交付による説明、契約締結に際しての書面の交付、事務所等以外の場所においてした買受け申込みの撤回、損害賠償額の予定・手付の額・瑕疵(かし)担保責任の特約の制限、前金保全、報酬の最高限度の法定などがそうである。

［阿部泰隆］

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