South KoreaThe landlord sold the house without my consent.
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.
What the Law Says
South Korean law protects tenants when a landlord sells a leased property. The Civil Act sets strict notice and priority purchase requirements.
Under the Civil Act, if a landlord sells a building that is leased for residential use, they must give the tenant written notice of the sale at least 3 months before the transfer date.
The notice must include the sale price, payment terms, and other key conditions. Upon receiving this notice, the tenant has 1 month to declare their intention to exercise the right of first refusal — that is, to buy the property on the same terms offered to the third party.
If the landlord fails to provide proper written notice, or sells without respecting the tenant’s 1-month response period, the tenant may claim damages or seek to enforce their priority purchase right against the new owner, depending on registration status and timing.
Statutory TextA lessor who intends to sell a leased building shall notify the lessee in writing of the intended sale at least three months prior to the date of transfer.
— Civil Act, s. 603 — Right of First Refusal for Lessees
Statutory TextThe lessee may, within one month from the date of receipt of such notice, declare his intention to purchase the building at the same price and under the same conditions as those offered to the third party.
— Civil Act, s. 603 — Right of First Refusal for Lessees
What to Do
Confirm whether you received written notice at least 3 months before the sale date.
Check if the notice included the sale price, payment method, and other material terms.
If notice was missing or inadequate, send a written demand to the landlord (and possibly the new owner) asserting your right of first refusal within 1 month of discovering the sale.
Consult a Korean-licensed attorney to assess whether you can claim damages or seek specific performance, especially if the property has not yet been registered in the buyer’s name.
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.