Types of housing in Korea

The type of housing changes how deposits and fees work. Choose to fit your budget and length of stay.

Main types

• Goshiwon / share house — a single room, often with shared bathroom and kitchen. Little or no deposit, and fees sometimes included in rent. Good for short stays.
• One-room (studio) — room, kitchen and bathroom in one space. Deposit plus monthly rent. The most common.
• Two-room / villa (low-rise flat) — two or more rooms, suited to families.
• Officetel — better facilities, higher maintenance fees, larger deposit.
• Apartment — well managed and secure, but a large deposit.
• Dormitory — provided by a company or school. Check rules and cost in the contract.

What to check

1. Deposit and rent — total and how it is paid
2. Maintenance fee — what it includes (water, electricity, internet, cleaning)
3. Utilities — electricity, gas and water are usually separate
4. Contract period
5. Mould, leaks, ventilation, noise
6. Transport — distance to work and the bus stop
7. Safety of the area — visit once at night

Steps

1. Set your budget — deposit plus rent plus fees plus utilities.
2. View several places. Never sign based on photos alone.
3. Visit in daytime and at night.
4. Check the property register. See the lease-contract guide.
5. Sign the contract.

Where to go

• Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport www.molit.go.kr
• Supreme Court registry www.iros.go.kr (property register)
• Local licensed estate agents
• 1577-1366 · 1345 interpreted advice

Questions people ask

Is there housing with no deposit? Goshiwons and some share houses have little or no deposit, but higher monthly rent.

My company says the dormitory is free. Board and lodging is sometimes deducted from wages. Check the contract for the amount.

They refuse to rent to me because I'm foreign. Refusal on grounds of nationality happens. Try other agents and ask a local migrant support group for help.

Take care

A deposit is a large sum. Always check the property register before signing and get the fixed date stamp. Read the deposit-protection and housing-scam guides.

Related

jeonse-wolse · lease-contract · deposit-protection · housing-scam

Source

Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport www.molit.go.kr / As of 2026-08