If water pipes freeze or burst in Tomakomai | Who pays for repairs, freeze protection for vacant houses, and the option of selling a house you cannot fix
In Tomakomai winters, frozen and burst water pipes happen almost every year. “Who do I ask to repair it?” “Who pays?” “What happens if the house is vacant?” Following the information from the Tomakomai City Water and Sewerage Department, this article explains who pays for what, how to protect an empty house from freezing, and the option of selling when repairs become too much of a burden.
Who pays: the water meter is the dividing line
According to Tomakomai City, all water supply equipment that branches off the water main under the road and lies beyond the water meter (supply pipes, stop valves, drain valves, faucets and so on) is “the customer’s property”. The owner pays for installation, modification, repair and removal. The city manages and repairs the water supply equipment inside public roads.
| Location | Who manages and pays for repairs |
|---|---|
| Water mains under the road, and water supply equipment inside public roads | The city (Water and Sewerage Department) |
| Supply pipes, stop valves, drain valves and faucets on the house side of the water meter | The owner (for an owned home, at your own cost) |
| Rental houses, apartments and public housing | Contact the management company first |
What to do if pipes freeze or burst
- For an owned home, arrange a contractor yourself: the city does not do repairs. According to the city, you ask a water repair contractor directly.
- Get quotes from several contractors: the city recommends getting quotes from more than one company. Some contractors charge for a quote, so check first.
- Check whether the contractor is designated by the city: work on water supply equipment is done by water supply equipment contractors designated by the city.
- Check your fire insurance: depending on the policy, a pipe burst caused by freezing may be covered, for example as water damage. Ask your insurance company.
How to stop the water and thaw the pipes after a burst depends on your equipment. To avoid damaging pipes or equipment by forcing things, follow the city’s information or the instructions of an equipment contractor.
The basic way to prevent freezing is “draining the water”
The city advises draining the water (mizunuki) on cold nights and when you go out, to prevent freezing. You can learn the details of how to drain the water from the city’s videos or from a builder or equipment contractor. For a house where no water is used during the winter, the basic rule is to drain the water in advance.
Problems common in vacant and inherited houses
- Problems are noticed late: in a house where no one lives, a leak may go unnoticed for several days after a pipe bursts.
- Owners who live far away must notify the city: when the owner changes through a sale or inheritance, an owner who does not live in the city must choose an agent who lives in the city and notify the city.
- No plan to live there even after repairs: if you spend money renewing the pipes in a house you will not use, you will not get it back.
After several winters with no one living there, not only the water pipes but also the roof and gutters deteriorate. For the tax burden of neglect, see “Can property tax on a neglected vacant house in Tomakomai rise up to six times?“.
Repair, or sell as it is?
| Repair, then sell or live there | Sell as it is | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | You need the amount in the quote | No repair costs |
| Time | Sales start after repairs | Appraisal can be done right away |
| Explanation to the buyer | Tell the buyer the repair history | Disclose the condition of the damage |
| Suitable for | People who will keep living there or want to sell at a higher price | People who do not want to pay for repairs, or live far away and cannot manage the house |
When you sell a house that has had frozen or burst pipes, you must tell the buyer the facts correctly, including whether repairs were made. If a real estate company buys the house directly, it will often take it as it is and release you from contract non-conformity liability (keiyaku futekigō sekinin), so you do not need to pay for repairs first. If you are not sure, put the repair quote and the appraisal value as it is side by side and compare them. The overall selling process is explained in “Selling real estate in Tomakomai“.
What we can do
Banana House Inc. (1-1-1 Honkocho, Tomakomai) appraises and buys houses with burst water pipes and vacant houses damaged in winter. You can consult us even before you get a repair quote. To apply, just give us three things: the type of property, its location and your contact details.
This page was machine-translated. The Japanese original prevails.
Frequently asked questions
If my water pipes freeze, will Tomakomai City fix them?
No. The supply pipes and drain valves on the house side of the water meter belong to the owner, and the owner pays for repairs. Only the water supply equipment inside public roads is managed by the city. For an owned home, ask a water repair contractor directly.
If a water pipe bursts in a rental house, does the tenant pay?
First, contact the management company. The city's information also says that people in rental properties should contact the management company first. Who pays depends on the lease contract.
Can I sell a vacant house where pipes burst from freezing?
Yes, you can. The condition is that you tell the buyer correctly about the damage and whether it has been repaired. If a real estate company buys it directly, it will take the house as it is, so you do not need to pay for repairs first.
I live far away and I am worried about the water pipes in my family home in Tomakomai.
The basic step is to drain the water before winter. An owner who lives outside the city must choose an agent in the city and notify the city when the owner of the water service changes. If managing the house is difficult, please talk to us early, including about selling or a direct purchase.
Consultations on selling and vacant houses are free
We can start a valuation with just three things: the property type, its location and your contact details. You do not need to have decided to sell yet.
Banana House Inc., 1-1-1 Honkocho, Tomakomai. We never use pushy sales. Please write in English or Japanese.
Sources and data
- Data retrieved: 2026-10-10. All prices are official public data and do not include our own estimates.
Yuki Nakazawa (President, Banana House Inc.) reviewed the Japanese original of this article. As a licensed real estate broker, we follow the Japanese rules for real estate advertising.
