Can I Use a Japanese-Speaking Agent to Manage My London Property?

Many landlords with a connection to Japan ask a simple question: can I have my London rental managed by someone who speaks Japanese, so I am not wrestling with letting law and tenancy paperwork in a second language? The short answer is yes. A managing agent can correspond with you in Japanese while running the property under English law, and that combination is more common than people expect. What matters is understanding what a bilingual agent actually does for you, and which duties apply to every agent in England no matter what language they work in.

What a Japanese-speaking agent changes, and what it does not

Working with a Japanese-speaking agent changes how information reaches you. Statements, compliance reminders, tenancy updates and the reasoning behind a recommendation can all be explained in your own language, so nothing important gets lost in translation. For an owner who spends part of the year abroad, or who simply prefers to read a tenancy agreement summary in Japanese before approving it, that clarity removes a lot of quiet stress.

What it does not change is the law. A property in London is let under English regulation, and the agent must apply the same rules whether they explain them to you in Japanese or English. The language is for your comfort and understanding; the legal framework underneath is identical to any other London let. If you are new to the process, our complete guide to letting a property in London walks through the full journey from preparation to move-in.

The duties any agent must meet, whatever the language

Before you focus on language, it is worth knowing what every letting agent in England is required to do, because this is your baseline for judging any firm. An agent who holds your rent and deposit money must have Client Money Protection and belong to a redress scheme such as The Property Ombudsman, so there is somewhere independent to turn if something goes wrong.

On the day-to-day compliance side, the property needs a valid Energy Performance Certificate to be marketed and let, currently with a minimum rating of E. There must be an annual Gas Safety Record from a Gas Safe registered engineer, an Electrical Installation Condition Report at least every five years, a smoke alarm on every storey, and a carbon monoxide alarm in any room with a fixed combustion appliance. A good agent tracks all of these renewal dates for you. To see the full scope of what management covers, our piece on what a letting agent actually does sets out the typical responsibilities.

How the new rules affect management

The Renters' Rights Act 2025 came into force on 1 May 2026 and reshaped how tenancies run, so any agent managing your property should be fluent in the changes. Fixed-term assured shorthold tenancies have been replaced by periodic tenancies that roll month to month, and Section 21 'no-fault' eviction has been abolished. Possession is now obtained only through Section 8 grounds, such as the landlord selling or a close family member moving in, serious rent arrears, or anti-social behaviour.

Rent increases are limited to once a year, served through a Section 13 notice with at least two months' written notice, and a tenant may challenge the figure at the First-tier Tribunal. Landlords must also join a government-approved redress scheme and register on the Private Rented Sector Database. A capable agent handles this administration on your behalf and explains each step, which is exactly where a Japanese-speaking contact can make a stressful change feel manageable. We cover the detail in our guide to the Renters' Rights Act for London landlords.

If you live outside the UK

Plenty of owners who want a Japanese-speaking agent are themselves based in Japan or elsewhere overseas. There is a specific point to be aware of here. Under the Non-Resident Landlord Scheme, a landlord usually resident outside the UK for six months or more is treated as a non-resident landlord. In that case the agent (or the tenant) must deduct basic-rate tax from the rent unless HMRC has approved you to receive rent gross, which is applied for using form NRL1. You remain responsible for your UK tax through Self Assessment either way.

This is general information rather than tax advice, and the figures and treatment can turn on your personal circumstances, so it is sensible to speak with a qualified accountant. A bilingual agent is genuinely useful here, because they can explain the mechanics and the paperwork in Japanese while still working within the UK rules. Being abroad does not stop you from letting well; it simply adds a few extra steps to keep tidy.

Choosing the right agent for you

Language should be one factor among several, not the only one. Look first at the essentials: Client Money Protection, redress scheme membership, a clear written management agreement, transparent fees, and a track record of keeping compliance dates in order. Then weigh the comfort of being able to discuss it all in Japanese. The best outcome is an agent who is both properly regulated and easy for you to talk to.

It also helps to ask how an agent communicates routinely, how quickly they respond, and how they handle repairs and statements. Our guide on how to choose a letting agent in London offers a practical checklist you can take into any conversation, in either language.

Where JSLA fits

At JSLA we manage London property for a range of landlords, and offering a bilingual service in Japanese and English is one part of that, never a substitute for doing the regulated basics properly. Japanese-speaking owners are simply one of the many groups we work with, and the same compliance, redress and client-money protections apply to every property we look after.

If you would value being able to discuss your London rental in Japanese while it is managed fully within English law, we are happy to talk it through and answer your questions at your own pace. There is no pressure, just a clear conversation about what would suit your property and your circumstances.