🏘 Housing
Protect your deposit, claim every support
Housing is Korea's biggest expense — and most trap-ridden. From jeonse fraud defense to youth subsidies and loans, verified. 12 in total.
Deposit safety
Don't get caught in jeonse fraud or an underwater lease
HUG Jeonse Deposit-Return Guarantee
A public guarantee where HUG repays your full deposit if the landlord fails to return it. The #1 line of defense against jeonse (lump-sum deposit lease) fraud.
SGI Seoul Guarantee Jeonse Deposit Insurance
Private insurance that protects high-value jeonse leases exceeding HUG's cap (₩300M in the metro area). Apartments are covered in full with no ceiling.
The 5-Step Check to Avoid Jeonse Fraud
Property register, jeonse-to-value ratio, unpaid taxes, tenancy rights (move-in report + fixed date stamp), and verifying the agent — five steps you must go through before and after signing.
How to Spot an Underwater Jeonse (Jeonse-to-Value & Market Price)
If senior mortgages plus your deposit exceed the market price, it's underwater (kkangtong). A jeonse-to-value ratio over 80% or a new villa means you won't recover your deposit at auction.
Housing support
Get every subsidy and loan you're entitled to
Youth Monthly Rent Special Support
Cash support of up to ₩200,000/month for up to 24 months (₩4.8M total) for homeless youth. Open for application anytime starting 2026.
Youth Beotimmok & SME-Youth Jeonse Loan
A policy loan lending youth jeonse deposits at ultra-low rates around 1%. Youth at small/medium enterprises get a fixed 1.5%.
Housing Benefit (jugeo geupyeo, Customized Benefit)
Direct rent (lease benefit) support for low-income households. Renting households get up to about ₩370,000–₩700,000/month by region; homeowners get repair costs.
Haengbok Housing & Public Rental (LH/SH)
Public rental supplied to youth and newlyweds at 60–80% of market rent. Stay up to 6–20 years; record supply in 2026.
Finding a home
Save on fees, dodge the listing traps
Saving On and Negotiating the Brokerage Fee
The legal rate is only a 'ceiling.' You can negotiate within that cap, and knowing the monthly-rent conversion formula and brackets saves you hundreds of thousands of won.
How to Filter Out Fake and Bait Listings
A 'too-good' listing below market price is usually bait. Filter them out by listing date, cross-checking market price, and reporting to KISO.
Alternative housing
Co-living, modular and other options
Co-living & Share Houses
Move in immediately with furniture and facilities included for a deposit around ₩5M. But the rent is higher than a studio's, and per-area it's at goshiwon level.
Modular & Movable Houses
A house built in a factory then installed. The unit itself looks cheap, but add land, foundation, and permits and the 'house price' is a whole other story.