Monthly rent (wolse) and jeonse
Housing contracts in Korea come in two main types. With monthly rent (wolse) you leave a deposit and pay rent every month. With jeonse you leave one large deposit instead and pay no monthly rent. Either way, the deposit is returned when the contract ends.
Newcomers often start in a studio (one-room), a gosiwon, a company dormitory, or a share house. Always ask whether maintenance fees (water, electricity, gas, internet, etc.) are included in the rent or paid separately.
What to check before signing
Get the property registry certificate (deunggibu) yourself. It shows whether the owner’s name matches the person signing with you and how much debt, such as a bank mortgage, is registered on the home. Anyone can get it from the Internet Registry Office website.
Always send the deposit to a bank account in the name of the owner shown in the registry, and keep the transfer record. If the debt plus your deposit comes close to the price of the home, you may struggle to get your deposit back later, so think again before signing.
If you use a real estate office, check that the agent is a registered licensed agent. The "property confirmation and explanation form" you receive with the contract describes the condition of the home and its legal rights. Ask about any sentence you do not understand before you sign. You can photograph the contract with K-lifeon’s camera translation to follow it, but confirm the important terms with the agent again.
The contract should state the deposit, rent, contract period, maintenance fees, move-in date, who pays for repairs, and how much you must restore when you leave. Taking photos of the home on move-in day helps avoid disputes when you move out.
Right after you move in
If you have alien registration, you must report your change of address when you move. There is a short legal deadline, so it is best to do it on the day you move. You can do it at the community service center, at an immigration office, or online at HiKorea.
For protecting your deposit, a foreigner’s change-of-address report is treated the same as a Korean citizen’s move-in report. If you also get a "fixed date" (hwakjeong ilja) stamped on your contract, it helps keep your place in line to get your deposit back even if the home goes to auction. You can get the fixed date at the community service center or through the Internet Registry Office.
For contracts with a large deposit, such as jeonse, ask Korea Housing & Urban Guarantee Corporation (HUG) and similar providers whether you can join a deposit return guarantee. Eligibility and costs can change, so check them directly.
When the contract ends or problems come up
If you plan to leave, tell the landlord in advance in the way and at the time the contract says, preferably in a form that leaves a record, such as a text message. Before moving, get advice on whether it is safe to move your registered address before your deposit has been returned.
If you cannot get your deposit back or have a dispute with the landlord, do not try to solve it alone. Ask the Korea Legal Aid Corporation (☎ 132) or the Immigration Contact Center (☎ 1345) for advice.