After arriving in South Korea, many international students choose to rent accommodation outside their university dormitory. At this stage, it is important to pay close attention to the deposit, monthly rent, management fees and the terms of the tenancy agreement.
Renting accommodation in South Korea is not simply a matter of finding a suitable room and paying a deposit. Before transferring any money, international students should check the property, the landlord, the tenancy agreement and the relevant residence procedures.
In particular, when a large deposit is involved, checking the legal status of the property before signing the agreement is an important step.
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WHAT TYPES OF ACCOMMODATION CAN INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS RENT?
In addition to university dormitories, international students in South Korea can rent private rooms, officetels, apartments or shared accommodation.
Two common rental arrangements in South Korea are wolse and jeonse.
Under the wolse system, the tenant pays a deposit together with monthly rent.
Under the jeonse system, the tenant provides a large deposit for the duration of the tenancy and generally does not pay monthly rent.
For most international students, the most important thing is not to memorise every Korean housing term, but to understand:
How much must be paid initially? How much will be paid each month? And how will the deposit be protected and returned?
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DO NOT ASK ONLY ABOUT THE MONTHLY RENT
When viewing a property, do not ask only:
“How much is the monthly rent?”
You should also ask:
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How much is the deposit?
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How much is the monthly management fee?
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Are electricity, water and gas charged separately?
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Is internet included?
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How much is the estate agency fee?
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Under what conditions and when will the deposit be returned?
A room with lower rent is not necessarily cheaper if it has high management fees or additional charges.
Therefore, students should calculate the total monthly housing cost before making a decision.
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VIEW THE PROPERTY IN PERSON BEFORE PAYING A DEPOSIT
Photos on property websites and apps should only be treated as initial information. International students should visit the property in person before signing an agreement.
When viewing the property, focus on the key points:
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Does the actual condition match the advertisement?
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Are there signs of damp, mould, leaks or damage?
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Are the doors, locks, electricity, water and basic facilities working properly?
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Is the property too noisy or unsuitable for studying?
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Is the distance to the university and public transport convenient?
If you find any damage, take photographs and discuss it with the landlord before signing the agreement.
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CHECK THE LANDLORD AND PROPERTY INFORMATION
This is particularly important when a large deposit is involved.
Do not rely solely on information provided by an advertiser or estate agent. Before signing the agreement, check the property's registration information to confirm ownership and any registered rights or obligations relating to the property.
If you do not understand the documents or do not know how to carry out the checks, ask the university, a qualified estate agent or someone with relevant experience for assistance.
For newly arrived international students, getting support from someone familiar with the rental process can help reduce unnecessary risks.
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DO YOU HAVE TO USE AN ESTATE AGENT?
Not necessarily.
However, for international students who are unfamiliar with the Korean housing system or are not confident reading Korean tenancy agreements, using a suitable estate agency can make the process easier.
An estate agent may assist with finding a property, checking transaction-related information and explaining the rental process. The tenant will normally have to pay an estate agency fee in accordance with the applicable rules.
If you use an estate agent, ask clearly about the agency fee and all payments required before signing.
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WHAT SHOULD YOU CHECK IN THE TENANCY AGREEMENT?
Do not sign an agreement simply because you like the property.
At a minimum, check:
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Information about the tenant and landlord.
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The address and details of the property.
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The deposit.
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Monthly rent.
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Management fees and additional charges.
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The tenancy period.
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The date on which the property will be handed over.
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Conditions for ending or renewing the agreement.
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Conditions for returning the deposit.
Important information such as the parties involved, the property, deposit, rent and tenancy period should be clearly stated in the agreement.
Do not sign an agreement if there are terms you do not understand.
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THE DEPOSIT: A KEY POINT TO CHECK CAREFULLY
For international students, the deposit can represent a significant amount of money.
Before transferring the deposit, confirm:
How much is it – who will receive it – under what conditions will it be returned – and when will it be returned?
After making payment, keep:
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The signed tenancy agreement.
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Proof of payment.
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Receipts, where applicable.
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Important communications with the landlord or estate agent.
Do not transfer money based only on a promise or message before confirming the identity of the recipient and the rental conditions.
For international residents, completing the necessary residence registration procedures after moving into a new property is also important for protecting their rights as tenants.
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RECORD THE CONDITION OF THE PROPERTY WHEN YOU MOVE IN
When moving in, take photographs or a short video showing the condition of the room, particularly any existing damage.
There is no need to photograph everything. Focus on areas that could later become relevant to repairs or the return of the deposit.
If you notice any problem, inform the landlord or estate agent as soon as possible.
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DO YOU NEED TO COMPLETE RESIDENCE PROCEDURES AFTER MOVING?
Yes.
This is an important point for international students in South Korea.
After moving to a new address, international residents must follow the applicable rules for reporting a change of residence. Under current guidance, the change of residence should generally be reported within 15 days of moving in. Depending on the circumstances, the report can be made through the relevant authority or online via HiKorea.
International students should also familiarise themselves with procedures relating to residence status and address changes.
For more information, see:
If you need to make an appointment with an immigration office, you can also refer to:
Xem thêm: How to Make a HiKorea Appointment for International Students in South Korea
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SOME TENANCY AGREEMENTS MUST BE REPORTED
International students should also be aware that certain residential tenancy agreements are subject to mandatory reporting.
Under current guidance, rental agreements with a deposit exceeding KRW 60 million or monthly rent exceeding KRW 300,000 fall within the reporting requirements, subject to the applicable conditions. The report must generally be made within 30 days of signing the agreement.
Foreign nationals are also subject to these requirements where applicable.
Therefore, before signing a tenancy agreement, ask the estate agent or relevant authority whether your agreement is subject to the reporting requirement.
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SHOULD YOU CHOOSE A PROPERTY CLOSE TO UNIVERSITY OR A CHEAPER ONE?
The property with the lowest rent is not always the cheapest option overall.
A cheaper room located far from university may increase:
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Transport costs.
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Daily travelling time.
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Fatigue during everyday life.
A property closer to university may have higher rent but could save considerable time and transport costs.
Therefore, compare total cost + travelling time, rather than looking at rent alone.
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7 THINGS TO CHECK BEFORE SIGNING A TENANCY AGREEMENT
Before paying a deposit, international students can remember these seven simple questions:
1. How much is the deposit?
2. How much are the monthly rent and management fees?
3. How are electricity, water, gas and internet charged?
4. Is the person renting out the property legally authorised to do so?
5. Does the agreement clearly state the tenancy period and conditions for returning the deposit?
6. Are there any existing problems with the property that should be recorded?
7. What residence procedures must be completed after moving in?
If any important point remains unclear, do not rush to transfer money or sign the agreement.
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COMMON MISTAKES INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS SHOULD AVOID
Some seemingly minor mistakes can cause difficulties later:
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Transferring money before viewing the property.
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Failing to check whether the landlord has the legal right to rent out the property.
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Focusing only on rent and overlooking management fees.
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Signing an agreement without understanding its terms.
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Failing to keep proof of payment.
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Not recording the condition of the property when moving in.
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Moving to a new address without completing the required change-of-address procedures.
In particular, when a large deposit is involved, do not rush into a decision simply because you are worried that someone else might rent the property first.
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WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE TENANCY AGREEMENT?
This is a common situation for newly arrived international students.
If you are not confident reading Korean or do not fully understand the agreement, you can:
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Ask your university for assistance.
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Ask someone with relevant experience to read the agreement with you.
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Ask the estate agent to explain the terms.
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Request clarification of clauses concerning the deposit, rent and termination of the agreement.
Do not sign first and try to understand the agreement later.
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CONCLUSION
Renting accommodation is an important part of life in South Korea, particularly for international students who do not live in university dormitories.
Before signing a tenancy agreement, focus on the key issues:
Deposit – rent – management fees – landlord – property condition – tenancy agreement – residence procedures.
Checking these points carefully can help international students avoid many common problems during the rental process.
If you do not fully understand the agreement or relevant documents, ask your university, someone with appropriate experience or a qualified estate agent for assistance.
After moving into a new property, remember to complete the required change-of-address procedures. You should also keep your residence card and other personal documents safe throughout your studies in South Korea.
For further information:
CONTACT INFORMATION
Songda Tohoku Joint Stock Company
Address: L02-L01, Khu A, KĐT Dương Nội, Phường Dương Nội, Hà Nội, Vietnam
Hotline: 0989 044 852
Email: tohokusongda2014@gmail.com
Website: tohoku.vn