Renting an Apartment in Korea: Everything you need to know

Table of Contents :

1. Rental Systems in Korea: Jeonse vs. Wolse
2. Types of Housing Available
3. Average Rental Costs in 2025
4. Step-by-Step: How to Rent an Apartment in Korea
5. Documents You’ll Need as a Foreigner
6. Tips for a Smooth Rental Experience
7. What to Know About Real Estate Agents
8. Common Pitfalls to Avoid
9. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
10. Useful Resources

Rental Systems in Korea: Jeonse vs. Wolse

Korea has two main rental systems:

🔳 Jeonse (전세)

• Jeonse is a unique Korean rental system where you pay a large lump-sum deposit (often ₩100 million to ₩500 million or more).

• You don’t pay monthly rent.

• At the end of your lease (usually 2 years), you get the full deposit back.

• Popular among locals who have large savings and want to avoid monthly payments.

Pros:

• No monthly rent.

• Safe investment (deposit is protected by law).

Cons:

• Requires a huge amount of money upfront.

• Less common for short-term renters or foreigners.

🔳 Wolse (월세)

• This is the monthly rent system more familiar to foreigners.

• You pay a smaller deposit (₩5 million–₩20 million) plus monthly rent.

• Rent ranges from ₩400,000 to over ₩1.5 million depending on location and size.

Pros:

• Lower upfront cost.

• Easier for short-term stays.

Cons:

• Monthly rent can be expensive.

• Rent increases are possible at renewal.

Types of Housing Available

Foreigners in Korea typically rent:

☑️ Officetels (오피스텔)

• Studio apartments in mixed-use buildings (office + hotel = officetel).

• Come with basic furnishings and appliances.

• Great for singles or couples.

☑️ Apartments (아파트)

• Standard family housing units in complexes.

• More spacious, but usually require higher deposits.

• Better suited for long-term residents.

☑️ Goshiwon / Hasukjib (고시원/하숙집)

• Tiny, affordable rooms.

• Often shared bathrooms/kitchens.

• Ideal for budget travelers or short stays.

☑️ Serviced Apartments

• Furnished, short-term housing.

• Cleaning services included.

• Expensive but convenient.

Average Rental Costs in 2025

Here’s what you can expect to pay for monthly rent (wolse system):

City	Officetel	1-Bed Apt	Deposit (Wolse)
Seoul	₩700k–₩1.5M	₩900k–₩2M	₩5M–₩20M
Busan	₩500k–₩1M	₩700k–₩1.5M	₩5M–₩10M
Daegu	₩400k–₩800k	₩600k–₩1.2M	₩3M–₩10M

Note: Jeonse deposits can be 10–20 times the wolse deposit.

Step-by-Step: How to Rent an Apartment in Korea

Step 1: Decide Your Budget and Location

• Set realistic limits for monthly rent and deposit.

• Consider commute time, subway access, and neighborhood amenities.

Step 2: Search Listings

• Use apps like Zigbang, Dabang, PeterPan.

• Facebook expat groups are useful too.

Step 3: Contact a Real Estate Agent (부동산)

• Licensed agents help with property visits, negotiation, and paperwork.

• Agent fee is usually 0.3–1 month’s rent (negotiable).

Step 4: Visit the Property

• Inspect water pressure, mold, noise, lighting, appliances.

Step 5: Sign the Lease

• Contracts are in Korean—ask for a bilingual version.

• Check start/end date, deposit, rent, maintenance fee, penalties.

Step 6: Register Your Address

• Go to the local district office (gu-cheong) with your lease and ARC.

• This step is crucial for getting health insurance, driver’s license, etc.

Documents You’ll Need as a Foreigner

Prepare the following:

• Passport

• Alien Registration Card (ARC)

• Korean phone number

• Proof of income (paystub, bank statement, or school certificate)

• Emergency contact in Korea

Tips for a Smooth Rental Experience

• Start early: Give yourself at least 3–4 weeks to search and move.

• Avoid cash deals: Always sign an official contract.

• Read the fine print: Maintenance fees can be ₩50k–₩200k/month.

• Know tenant rights: The Housing Lease Protection Act protects you.

• Get a guarantee certificate (확정일자): From the local district office, this ensures your deposit is prioritized if the landlord defaults.

What to Know About Real Estate Agents

• Agents are essential but vary in experience.

• Look for agents who speak English or are used to working with foreigners.

• Ask for agent fees upfront.

• Don’t feel pressured to accept the first listing.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Jeonse scams: Never send money before seeing the place.

• Verbal agreements: Always get terms in writing.

• Unclear contracts: Ask a Korean friend or use a translation app.

• Unpaid maintenance bills: Confirm all balances are cleared before moving in.

• False ads on apps: Visit in person or use verified listings.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Can I rent without an ARC?
A1: Some landlords may allow it, but most require your ARC to finalize a lease.

Q2: Can I break a lease early?
A2: Check the contract. You may lose your deposit or pay a penalty.

Q3: What is 관리비 (Maintenance Fee)?
A3: Covers building cleaning, security, trash collection, etc. Usually ₩50k–₩200k/month.

Q4: Can I rent for just 3 months?
A4: It’s rare for standard apartments. Look for short-term officetels, goshiwons, or Airbnbs.

Q5: Can I register the lease under my name?
A5: Yes, and you should. It protects your legal rights as a tenant.

Useful Resources

• HiKorea : Official government portal for visa, immigration, and address registration.

• Zigbang App : Popular real estate app for searching apartments, officetels, and studios.

• Dabang App : User-friendly platform for apartment listings with map-based search.

• Korea Tenants Union (세입자연대) : NGO providing legal info and tenant rights support, with English content available.

Renting an apartment in Korea might seem complicated at first, but once you understand how the system works, it becomes much more manageable. Know the difference between jeonse and wolse. Prepare your documents. Ask questions. And always protect your rights as a tenant.

With the right preparation and a bit of patience, you’ll soon find a place that feels like home in Korea.

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• Short-Term Housing in Korea – Comparing Options
• How to Use Co-living in Korea
• How to Check a Korean Landlord’s Record Before You Sign a Lease