Housing

Yes, you may get your deposit back if the auction fails or is cancelled, but only if you were not at fault and the deposit was paid before the auction date.

You can demand your jeonse deposit back within 30 days after the lease ends, and if the landlord refuses, you may file for a provisional attachment or sue for payment under the Housing Lease Protection Act.

Small-deposit tenants in South Korea are entitled to priority repayment of up to ₩5 million for deposits under the Housing Lease Protection Act.

In South Korea, you protect your deposit in a multi-household building by registering your lease with the local Legal Affairs Office within 30 days of moving in — this gives you priority over creditors if the landlord defaults.

Yes, your deposit is protected up to ₩50 million per depositor, per insured financial institution, under South Korea’s Deposit Insurance Act.

In South Korea, a landlord may not increase the deposit during a lease term unless both parties agree in writing; the maximum allowable deposit is capped at 100% of the monthly rent for residential leases.

Yes, you can request lease renewal if you meet the requirements under the Housing Lease Protection Act, including giving written notice at least 6 months before lease expiration.

Automatic (tacit) renewal in South Korea occurs when a fixed-term lease continues without objection from either party after expiration, creating a new lease under the same terms — but with indefinite duration and termination rights under the Civil Act.

The minimum housing lease period in South Korea is 2 years for standard leases under the Housing Lease Protection Act.

In South Korea, residential leases are strongly protected by the Housing Lease Protection Act, including deposit refund guarantees and renewal rights, while commercial leases fall under the Civil Act with far fewer statutory protections.

In South Korea, you generally cannot unilaterally move out before the lease ends without facing liability for unpaid rent or penalties—unless the lease allows early termination or a legal exception applies.

No, you will not be evicted immediately for late rent in South Korea. The landlord must first issue a formal notice and wait at least 2 weeks before filing for eviction.

You must leave by the end of the notice period — typically 3 months for fixed-term leases and 1 month for periodic leases — unless otherwise agreed in writing.

You cannot be forced to vacate immediately for reconstruction; the landlord must give at least 6 months’ written notice and pay relocation expenses unless the building is unsafe or condemned.

In South Korea, tenants can request repairs in writing, withhold rent up to the repair cost, or terminate the lease if the landlord fails to fix serious defects within a reasonable time.

Under South Korean law, tenants must restore the leased premises to their original condition at the end of the lease, excluding normal wear and tear, unless otherwise agreed in writing.

In South Korea, a landlord must notify you in writing at least 3 months before selling the leased property, and you have the right to purchase it first under the same conditions.

Report the fraud to police immediately, file a civil claim for restitution, and apply for emergency protection of your jeonse deposit under the Jeonse Protection Act.

Apartment management fee disputes in South Korea are resolved through the Apartment Management Dispute Mediation Committee at the local city/county/gu office, or via civil litigation if mediation fails.

You can apply to the Housing Lease Dispute Mediation Committee by submitting a written application to the local committee office, either in person, by mail, or online via the Korea Legal Aid Corporation (KLAC) portal.

The maximum real estate brokerage fee in South Korea is 0.7% of the transaction price for residential properties, capped at ₩6 million per transaction.

In South Korea, a real estate agent who provides false information may face civil liability for damages and administrative penalties, including license suspension or cancellation under the Real Estate Brokerage Business Act.

The 'confirmed date' (확인일) is the official date a foreigner’s residence status is approved by immigration, while 'residence registration' (주민등록) is a separate local government procedure for Korean nationals and long-term foreign residents to register their address with the district office.

'Ban-jeonse' is a hybrid Korean lease where the tenant pays a partial lump-sum deposit (less than full jeonse) plus monthly rent, and is protected under the Act on Regulation of Terms and Conditions of Real Estate Leases.

Not registering residence in South Korea prevents access to essential public services, restricts legal rights like voting and conscription exemption, and may lead to fines up to ₩1 million.