Apartment in Seoul: 5 Best Options for Foreigners

KOREA HOUSING GUIDE

Last updated: September 16, 2026

Researched and reviewed by the Factly9 Korea Travel Editor

I am Korean, and I have also lived abroad for many years. When I rented homes in other countries, I usually paid a security deposit equal to one or two months of rent and signed a one-year lease.

When I moved back to Korea and looked at the rental system again, I saw one big difference: the deposit. Even a normal monthly rental in Korea often needs a much bigger upfront payment than most international renters expect.

If you are planning a longer Seoul travel stay of a few weeks or months, studying in Korea, or starting a temporary work assignment, renting a home may be more practical than staying in a hotel. This guide draws on my experience in Korea and abroad to explain how foreigners can find apartments in Seoul and understand the Korean rental system.

Factly9 is run by Koreans. We share checked, practical information that international visitors need for traveling or living in Korea.

Not everyone who looks for an apartment in Seoul plans to move here for good.

Long-term travelers who stay for weeks or months, international students, people on temporary work assignments, and new residents settling into life in Korea — all of them may need something more practical than a hotel.

Monthly rent itself is familiar to most visitors. In many countries, tenants sign a one-year lease, pay rent every month, and pay a security deposit equal to one or two months of rent.

In Seoul, the surprise is usually the size of the deposit. Even a regular monthly lease often needs several million won before you move in — sometimes much more.

So when comparing apartments in Seoul, look at the deposit, monthly rent, maintenance fee, contract length, and whether furniture and appliances are included.

Jeonse vs. Wolse: The Basic Difference

Jeonse

Jeonse (전세) is a lease system. The tenant gives the landlord one large deposit. In return, the tenant usually pays no monthly rent during the lease.

Jeonse contracts are usually signed for two years. When the lease ends normally, the landlord must return the full deposit. Because the upfront payment is so large, Jeonse usually doesn’t work well for newcomers or anyone planning a short stay.

A large deposit does not automatically make a lease safe. Before you sign, ask a licensed real estate agent to check two things: the registered owner, and the property’s registry record. Also ask if your deposit can qualify for a deposit-return guarantee.

Wolse

Wolse (월세) is closer to the monthly rent system used in many other countries.

The main difference is this: a Korean monthly lease often comes with a large deposit on top of the rent.

Some landlords offer different deals for the same home. You might pay a higher deposit with lower rent, or a lower deposit with higher rent. Compare the total cost — not just the monthly rent.

In this example, you pay KRW 10 million (about USD 7,300) before you move in. Then you pay KRW 800,000 (about USD 585) every month. Most buildings also charge a separate maintenance fee. Note: these dollar amounts are only estimates. They will change with the exchange rate.

A Wolse contract is often signed for one year, but this depends on the landlord and the property. Don’t assume that water, internet, electricity, and gas are all included in the maintenance fee. Ask the agent to list exactly what the fee covers before you sign.

Start With How Long You Plan to Stay

How long you plan to stay should shape what kind of home you look for.

5 Ways to Find an Apartment in Seoul

1. Visit a Local Real Estate Agency

For regular apartments, officetels, villas, and studios, the most traditional route is a neighborhood real estate office.

You will see signs that say “부동산” all over Seoul. These offices are usually run by licensed real estate agents, called 공인중개사 in Korean. They show you available properties and help arrange contracts between landlords and tenants.

Before visiting, prepare:

• Preferred neighborhood
• Maximum deposit
• Monthly budget
• Total monthly budget including maintenance fees
• Move-in date
• Expected stay
• Number of rooms
• Furniture requirements
• Preferred distance from a subway station

If Korean is hard for you, look for an English-speaking office. You can also use a translation app, or ask a trusted Korean speaker to check the terms with you. When you find a place you like, don’t send a holding deposit right away. First, check that the landlord’s name matches the registered owner. Then review the property registry record for mortgages and other major rights on the property.

2. Borderless House

Borderless House offers share houses where Korean and international residents live under one roof.

Residents usually have their own private bedroom. They share common areas like the kitchen and living room.

A good fit for:

• International students
• First-time arrivals
• People who want a furnished room
• People who want to meet Korean and international housemates
• Residents comfortable with shared spaces

Fees and minimum stays are different for each property. Check the current terms on the official site before you apply.

3. 33m2

33m2 is a Korean short-term rental platform with officetels, apartments, studios, and multi-room units.

It can be useful for:

• Work trips
• One- to three-month stays
• Temporary accommodation before a long-term lease
• People waiting to move into a permanent home
• People who need furniture and appliances included

The service is mostly in Korean. Pay close attention to the payment, cancellation, refund, deposit, and maintenance-fee terms shown on each listing. A property on the platform doesn’t mean every contract follows the same rules. Before you pay, confirm the address, check that the host has the right to rent out the home, and check for any extra charges.

4. LiveAnywhere

LiveAnywhere has an English-language site and focuses on flexible stays from weeks to months.

Categories include:

• Studio apartments
• Private spaces
• Goshiwon (also spelled Gosiwon) and share houses
• Some homes listed below KRW 1,000,000 per month (about USD 730)
• Fully furnished homes

This makes LiveAnywhere useful for long-term travelers, temporary workers, and anyone who wants a furnished apartment without signing a normal one-year lease. Availability and prices change by date and neighborhood. Compare the full cost, including cleaning fees, maintenance fees, deposits, and cancellation charges.

5. Facebook Housing Groups

Facebook has several active communities where people post apartments, rooms, roommates, and sublets around Seoul.

Try searching:

• Housing in Seoul
• Seoul Apartment Rent
• Rent House Foreigner in Korea
• Seoul Sublet
• Roommates in Seoul
• Expat Housing Korea
• Housing for International Students in Korea

Some groups have tens of thousands of members, and new listings are posted all the time.

What About Craigslist Seoul?

Craigslist Seoul is the local section of the long-running classified advertising site.

Its housing section includes:

• Apartments / housing
• Rooms / shared
• Sublets / temporary
• Housing swaps

Craigslist adds more English-language listings to the mix. But many posts come directly from individuals, with no screening at all. If you are new to Korea, treat Craigslist as a backup source — not your first stop.

Understanding the Residential Lease Contract

A Korean-language contract can be one of the hardest parts of renting a home here.

The Ministry of Justice provides a Standard Residential Lease Contract, including an official version with English explanations.

Key sections include:

• Landlord and tenant details
• Property address
• Building information
• Contract type
• Lease period
• Deposit
• Monthly rent
• Maintenance fee and included services
• Senior lease rights and related property information
• Repair responsibilities
• Early termination terms
• Timing of the deposit return
• Special terms

Never sign a document you don’t understand. Compare any confusing sections with the government’s English version. Ask a licensed real estate agent or a trusted Korean speaker to explain anything unclear. If the deposit is large or the ownership situation is complicated, consider asking a legal professional to review the agreement.

Before You Sign

Verify the Owner

Make sure the person named as the landlord matches the owner shown in the property registry record. In Korean, this document is called a deunggi sahang jeungmyeongseo (등기사항증명서). If someone else is acting for the owner, ask to see a valid power of attorney and the documents that prove this authority.

Review the Property’s Legal Information

Before you send a large deposit, review the ownership and any important rights on the property. This includes mortgages, seizures, provisional seizures, and registered lease rights. Check the registry again right before you pay the final balance, in case anything has changed.

Use a Registered Agency

When you use a neighborhood real estate office, make sure it is properly registered. Also check that the person handling your contract is a licensed real estate agent. The agent should explain the property and the contract terms, and give you the legally required confirmation-and-explanation document. Even so, you should still read the lease yourself.

Put Financial Terms in Writing

The written agreement should clearly state:

• Deposit
• Monthly rent
• Maintenance fees
• Contract period
• Dates for the holding deposit, interim payment, and final payment
• Repair responsibilities
• Early termination rules
• Move-out date
• Scope of restoration at move-out
• Deposit return conditions

If a landlord or agent makes an important promise out loud, get it written into the contract too — in the main text or the special terms.

Does Your Lease Need to Be Reported?

Certain residential leases in designated areas fall under Korea’s lease reporting system.

Reporting kicks in when either of these applies, in a covered area:

• Deposit exceeds KRW 60 million (about USD 43,900)
• Monthly rent exceeds KRW 300,000 (about USD 220)

You don’t need to go over both limits. In a covered area, meeting either threshold may make the lease reportable. You usually need to report within 30 days of the contract date. If you renew your lease and the deposit or rent changes, you may need to report that too. The rules can be different depending on your location and contract type. When you sign, confirm the current rules through Korea’s Real Estate Transaction Management System or your local community service center.

Address Reporting for Foreign Residents

If you have foreign resident registration and move to a new address, you usually must report the change within 15 days of moving in. You can report this at the city, county, or district office, at your local community service center, or at the immigration office for your new address. Check Government24 or Hi Korea to see if you can report online, and what documents you need. In most cases, you will need your residence card and proof of your new address, such as your lease. The exact rules can depend on your visa and status. If you’re not sure, call the Immigration Contact Center at 1345.

Photograph the Home on Move-In Day

Before unpacking, take photos or video of the property’s condition.

Pay attention to:

• Walls and floors
• Windows
• Bathroom
• Kitchen sink
• Signs of water damage
• Air conditioner
• Refrigerator
• Washing machine
• Stove
• Furniture
• Doors and locks

A dated record of any existing damage can help you avoid disputes later, when you move out. If you notice a serious problem, tell the landlord or agent in writing.

How to Reduce the Risk of a Housing Scam

Do Not Rush a Large Payment

If you’re dealing directly with an individual, inspect the property first. Confirm the person’s identity and their legal right to rent it out before you send any money. If the person signing the contract is not the registered owner, stop. Verify that person’s authority before you continue.

Be Careful With Unusually Cheap Listings

If a price is much lower than similar homes in the same neighborhood, look at it more carefully. Be extra careful if someone says they are overseas and can’t show you the home in person. Also watch out if someone says another renter is waiting and pressures you to pay right away.

Identification Does Not Prove Ownership

An ID card only proves who the person is. It does not prove that they own the apartment. Check ownership through the property registry record, and make sure the name on the ID, the registry record, and the lease agreement all match.

Know How Your Deposit Will Be Returned

Because deposits are often large, your contract should clearly state exactly when you get the money back, and under what conditions. If you’re paying a large Jeonse deposit, check before you sign whether your lease can qualify for a deposit-return guarantee.

Choose the Right Type of Stay

The cheapest apartment is not always the best choice.

If you’re only staying a month, you don’t need a one-year contract with a huge deposit. If you’re planning to stay a year, you might overpay by using only short-term housing.

Final Takeaway

There is no single housing option that works for everyone.

Short-term visitors usually do best with a furnished monthly stay. Students often find a share house or an off-campus room more practical. If you’re planning a longer stay, you can compare those options with the wider local market through a licensed real estate agency.

Based on my experience with rental agreements in Korea and abroad, I have found it safer for the tenant and landlord to meet and sign the agreement at a properly registered real estate agency.

Before you sign, ask the agent to confirm each of these, one by one: the owner, the registry record, the deposit, the monthly rent, the maintenance fee, repair responsibilities, and the deposit-return terms. Don’t leave important explanations as spoken promises only. Put them in the contract, or in the special terms.

After you confirm the contracting party and the account holder, send your payments to an account in the landlord’s name. Keep the transfer record and receipt. If someone asks you to pay an agent, a representative, or another third party, don’t send the money until you have verified the owner and that person’s authority.

A licensed agent earns a fee not just for showing you the property, but also for checking the listing, explaining the contract terms, and arranging the agreement between landlord and tenant. Even so, using an agent doesn’t remove every risk. Read the contract yourself, verify the ownership and registered rights, and ask questions before you sign anything you don’t understand.

This guide gives general housing information. It is not legal advice for your individual contract. Rental rules and reporting procedures can change, so check current government guidance when you are ready to sign.