Can you start a real estate brokerage business using a rental office?
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Many people look into starting a real estate brokerage business in a rental office for reasons such as:
“I want to avoid using my home.”
“I want to keep initial costs as low as possible.”
So, can you actually open a real estate brokerage business using a rental office?
To give you the conclusion first—
✅ It is possible if certain conditions are met
❌ It is not possible if those conditions are not met
That is the most accurate answer.
Below, we clearly organize the key points you need to know to avoid making costly mistakes.
Conclusion: Not all rental offices are acceptable
Under the Real Estate Brokerage Act, there are strict legal requirements regarding what qualifies as an office.
Therefore, it is not the case that:
- “All rental offices are prohibited,” nor
- “All rental offices are acceptable.”
The key factor in determining eligibility is whether the office is a dedicated office with an actual, substantive presence.
Cases Where a Rental Office Is Likely to Be Considered “Acceptable”
If all of the following conditions are met, the likelihood of being able to open the business becomes quite high.
📌 A fully private room
- Clearly separated by walls and a ceiling
- Lockable
📌 Usable as an exclusive space
- Not shared with others
- Not a free-address desk, but a room for your exclusive use
📌 Office signage is permitted
- Business name (company name or trade name) can be displayed
- A mailbox and nameplate can be installed
📌 You can explain the actual business operations
- Meetings related to real estate transactions
- Explanation of important matters
- Storage of documents
can all be explained as being conducted at this location
When these conditions are satisfied, there is a high probability that it will be judged as
“A rental office is acceptable with no issues.”
Cases Where a Rental Office Is Likely to Be Considered “Not Acceptable”
On the other hand, the following setups are almost always rejected.
🚫 Hot desks or coworking space only
🚫 Private rooms that are rented by the hour
🚫 Business name or signage cannot be displayed
🚫 Mailboxes are shared
🚫 Weak explanation of actual business operations (a “name-only” office)
If you choose an office just because it’s cheap or because registration is possible,
your application is very likely to be stopped at the review stage.
Practical, Real-World Points to Watch Out For
For a real estate brokerage license, the following reviews are conducted:
📌 Document screening
📌 Submission of photographs
📌 On-site inspection in some cases
In other words, the appearance, structure, and actual usage of the office are all examined.
Simply saying,
“It's written as a private room in the contract, so it should be fine,”
will not be enough to pass.
User-Focused Benefits
By choosing a rental office that meets all the required conditions, you can enjoy the following benefits:
✅ Significantly lower initial costs
✅ Use of a well-located business address
✅ Easy office relocation if needed
✅ No need to make your home address public
Especially for those planning to go independent or starting as a side business,
a rental office can be a highly rational and efficient choice when used correctly.
Summary: Approval Depends on “Property Selection” and “How Well You Explain It”
📌 Real Estate Brokerage × Rental Office
→ Possible, but only under certain conditions
📌 What determines success or failure
- The actual condition and substance of the property
- The content and quality of the explanation given to the authorities
Whether “this property will really pass the licensing review”
should always be confirmed before signing the contract.
For Those Considering Obtaining a Real Estate Brokerage License
✅ If you’re planning to obtain a real estate brokerage license, leave it to the Taro Administrative Scrivener Taro Fujita Office!
✅ We handle the entire process on your behalf at industry-leading low fees.
✅ Membership procedures for guarantee associations are free, and photo taking is also free.
✅ Free consultations available! We support a smooth and stress-free licensing process.
✅ An English-speaking administrative scrivener will work with you directly.
