South KoreaHow do I protect my deposit in a multi-household building?
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.
What the Law Says
South Korean law provides special protection for tenants’ deposits in multi-household buildings (e.g., apartments) through mandatory lease registration. This ensures your deposit is prioritized over mortgage or other creditors if the landlord faces insolvency.
Under the Housing Lease Protection Act, tenants who rent residential units in multi-household buildings must register their lease agreement at the local Legal Affairs Office to secure priority rights over the landlord’s creditors.
The law applies only to leases where the deposit is ₩10 million or less — amounts above that are not fully protected. Registration must occur within 30 days after the tenant moves in (not after contract signing).
Once registered, the tenant’s right to deposit repayment ranks ahead of most secured creditors, including mortgage holders — but only up to ₩10 million and only for dwellings in multi-household buildings as defined by law.
Statutory TextA tenant who has entered into a housing lease contract for a dwelling unit in a multi-household building may claim priority over other creditors regarding the return of the lease deposit, provided that the lease contract is registered with the Legal Affairs Office within thirty days from the date of occupancy.
— Housing Lease Protection Act, Art. 6 — Priority of Lease Deposit
Statutory TextThe amount of lease deposit eligible for priority claim shall not exceed ten million won.
— Housing Lease Protection Act, Art. 6(2)
What to Do
Confirm your unit is in a multi-household building (e.g., apartment complex with ≥2 households)
Sign a written lease agreement specifying the deposit amount and move-in date
Visit your local Legal Affairs Office (or use the e-Registration system at www.iros.go.kr) within 30 days of moving in
Submit required documents: lease contract, ID, resident registration, and payment receipt for registration fee (₩10,000)
Keep your registration certificate — it’s proof of priority rights
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.