South KoreaWhat is the minimum housing lease period?
The minimum housing lease period in South Korea is 2 years for standard leases under the Housing Lease Protection Act.
What the Law Says
South Korean law sets a mandatory minimum duration for residential housing leases to protect tenants from premature termination by landlords.
Under the Housing Lease Protection Act, any residential lease agreement must have a minimum duration of 2 years. This applies to all standard housing leases unless otherwise agreed in writing with additional protections for the tenant.
Landlords must give at least 4 months’ written notice before terminating a lease at the end of its term. If the landlord fails to provide timely notice, the lease is automatically extended for another 2 years under the same terms.
Tenants are entitled to full protection of their deposit (usually up to 100% of the lease value), and landlords must register the lease with the local government within 30 days of signing to ensure legal enforceability and deposit security.
Statutory TextA housing lease contract shall be valid for a period of not less than two years.
— Housing Lease Protection Act, s. 4 — Minimum Lease Period
Statutory TextThe lessor must notify the lessee in writing of non-renewal at least four months prior to the expiration of the lease term.
— Housing Lease Protection Act, s. 6 — Notice of Non-Renewal
Statutory TextThe lessor shall register the housing lease contract with the competent Si/Do or Gu office within thirty days from the date of execution.
— Housing Lease Protection Act, s. 10 — Registration Requirement
What to Do
Ensure your written lease agreement states a minimum term of 2 years.
Confirm the landlord registers the lease with the local government office within 30 days.
Keep written proof of all communications, especially any notice of non-renewal.
If the landlord fails to give 4-month notice before lease expiry, your lease automatically renews for another 2 years.
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.