Renter safety checklist for foreign residents in Korea

General information, not legal advice (as of October 2026). Korean terms are in parentheses so you can show them to an agent or official. For help: Immigration Contact Center 1345 (English, Chinese, Vietnamese and more).

Before signing

• View the property register (등기사항전부증명서, ‘등기부등본’) at www.iros.go.kr with cancelled entries (말소사항 포함). For a detached or multi-household house, check both the land and building registers.
• The address, unit number and floor area in the description section (표제부) match the contract, and the building ledger (건축물대장) shows no illegal building.
• Section A (갑구): the landlord is the last registered owner, with no provisional attachment (가압류), seizure (압류), injunction (가처분), auction (경매개시결정) or provisional registration (가등기). If there is a trust (신탁), get the trust record (신탁원부) and written consent.
• Section B (을구): all maximum secured amounts (채권최고액) + your deposit are no more than 70% of the market price (시세), and there is no registered lease (임차권등기).
• You have the landlord’s tax payment certificates (납세증명서), and for a multi-household house, the record of fixed dates granted (확정일자 부여현황) and confirmation of registered households (전입세대확인서).
• The Safe Jeonse app (안심전세앱) shows the landlord is not banned, and you have confirmed that deposit guarantee insurance (전세보증금반환보증) is available for this home.
• The agent is licensed (공인중개사), and the agent’s fee (중개보수) is agreed in writing within the legal cap.

Signing day

• View the register again just before signing.
• The landlord’s ID matches the registered owner. If a representative signs: power of attorney (위임장) + certificate of seal impression (인감증명서), and you called the owner.
• The down payment goes only to an account in the registered owner’s name.
• The contract uses the unit number on the register and includes special terms (특약): no mortgage until the day after the balance payment, and cancellation with full refund if guarantee insurance is refused or unpaid taxes are found.

Move-in day

• View the register again just before paying the balance (잔금).
• File the move-in report (전입신고) the same day. Foreign residents: ask the community center (주민센터) or 1345 which report applies to you.
• Get a fixed-date stamp (확정일자) on your contract (visit the community center on a weekday for a same-day date).
• Take dated photos and video of the home’s condition.

During the lease

• Report the lease (주택 임대차 신고) within 30 days of signing if the deposit is over 60 million won or the rent is over 300,000 won a month.
• Apply for deposit guarantee insurance right after moving in (deadline: before half the lease term passes).
• Keep your registration at this address, check the register from time to time, and pay rent by bank transfer.
• 6 to 2 months before the end: decide whether to stay. Request renewal (계약갱신요구권) in writing; increases are capped at 5%.
• If your deposit is not returned: do not move out until your lease registration order (임차권등기명령) appears on the register. Call 132 or 1533-8119 for help.