English Rental Contracts in Korea: Which Version Governs and What's in Writing
A lease in Korea can exist in more than one language, and the copy you can read may not be the copy that settles a dispute. Before you sign, get three things in writing: which version of the agreement governs, what you pay on top of rent, and how you're allowed to leave. These are points to settle with the landlord or provider before you commit.
Which version of the agreement governs?
Korean leases are usually written in Korean. If a provider hands you an English copy, that copy may be a translation offered for your convenience rather than the version that decides questions later. The two can differ in small but costly ways, like a notice period or a refund condition.
So request in writing which version governs and how any conflict between the two gets resolved. Keep every copy you're given, and note the date each arrived. If someone promises an English agreement, have them put in writing whether that English text actually governs or only explains it.
Put the full cost in writing, not just the rent
Rent is rarely the whole monthly number. Many renters are caught out by the maintenance fee and utilities that sit on top of it, and by how those get split and billed. Get the details on paper before you commit.
Ask your provider to write down each of these for the exact room you'd take:
Item | Confirm in writing |
Monthly rent | The base amount and the exact due date. |
Maintenance fee | The amount, and what it actually covers. |
Utilities | Which ones you pay, how they're metered, and the account you pay into. |
Deposit | The amount, plus the conditions and timing for getting it back. |
Payment method | Whether an overseas card, an international transfer, or a Korean bank account is required, and whether a local guarantor is needed. |
If any of these comes back as "we'll sort it out later," treat that as a reason to keep asking. A written answer protects both sides.
How you leave matters as much as how you move in
Life changes, and an agreement that's easy to enter can be hard to exit. Confirm the notice you have to give, any penalty for leaving early, and what happens to your deposit if you go before the term ends. Our guide on what to verify before breaking a lease early in Korea walks through those points, so raise them while you still have room to negotiate.
Line up the documents you'll need
If you plan to register your address or apply for a residence card, you may need documents from whoever you rent from. What's accepted depends on the type of place and the agreement you sign. Ask which documents the provider can give you, and whether your agreement supports the registration you need. Settling this before you sign is far easier than fixing it after you move in.
Managed accommodation can keep the paperwork in one place
One reason some international residents choose managed or coliving housing is that a single provider handles the room and all the paperwork in one place, so the written terms are easier to line up and read in advance. Mangrove, for example, offers furnished private rooms, shared spaces, and a resident community.
Products differ even within one building. Mangrove's Dongdaemun location has private coliving rooms as well as separate Stay rooms, so the terms depend on which one you take. You can read the official Stay room description and the Dongdaemun location page to see what each covers. Whatever you choose, still request the written terms for that specific room. The same three checks apply.
Still early in the search? Our guide on how to find safe housing in Seoul before you arrive is a good place to start.
Before you sign
Gather the written terms for your exact room and read them while you can still ask questions. If you'd like help putting those questions together for a specific place, tell us the dates, budget, and conditions you need to confirm.