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South Korea · KRW

Real estatein South Korea

South Korea's jeonse system lets tenants lend a large deposit to a landlord in lieu of monthly rent — a unique capital structure. Acquisition tax ranges from 1–3%, and Seoul applies housing-price ceiling zones that cap valuations. sivrce opens with Seoul, Busan and Incheon.

Registry path
Title checked
3D map
1–3%acquisition tax by price and home count
Jeonsethe deposit-for-rent system
₩900Mthe 1% price cap (indexed)
5%annual return cap on jeonse in Seoul
What a purchase really costs

₩800,000,000 home in South Korea

Acquisition tax (chwideungse) (1%)
₩8,000,000
Agent fee — capped 0.4% each side (중개보수)
₩3,200,000
Registration & stamp (≈0.2%)
₩1,600,000
Cash needed at closing
₩812,800,000

≈ +1.6% over the price. Acquisition tax is 1% for one modest home and 3% above the ₩900M price cap, with punitive 8–12% rates for multiple homes in regulated areas — the table prices the single-home path. Jeonse (a large refundable deposit instead of monthly rent) remains distinctive: 40–60% of price is common, legally capped at 5% annual return in Seoul.

Rentals run on rules

The rent side, in three lines

  • Jeonse replaces rent with a big refundable deposit — confirm the guarantee insurance before wiring.
  • Monthly rent (wolse) pairs a smaller deposit with higher monthly payments.
  • Deposit return is protected up to a statutory cap per city; the Guarantee Fund pays out only after registration of the date.

Seoul is a regulated market with tax-by-district; Busan and Incheon follow the same statutes at half the deposit sizes.

Jeonse is a deposit, not rent: the tenant lends the landlord a lump sum (typically 50–80% of the property value) and gets it back at lease end. The landlord invests the capital; the tenant avoids monthly rent. If the landlord defaults, the tenant has priority claims.

Acquisition tax is 1–3% depending on property value and whether it is a first home. Seoul's housing-price ceiling zones (ghanji jeonggi) restrict mortgage lending and can cap resale prices.

sivrce.com/kr is the canonical South Korea URL. Listings publish only when verified.

FAQ

What is jeonse?
A deposit-based lease: the tenant gives the landlord a lump sum (50–80% of property value) instead of paying monthly rent. The deposit is returned at lease end. The landlord uses the capital; the tenant avoids rent.
Can a foreigner buy in Seoul?
Yes, with real-name registration and a Korean bank account. There are no nationality restrictions on residential property.

All markets: sivrce.com · Georgia marketplace: sivrce.ge · Prices and availability are published only when a verified listing exists. Market currency: KRW.