Tips before Signing Rental Lease or Moving In

TIPS for choosing your housing: (make sure to read the other section in Housing also)

• Make sure that your housing is in an area that will meet the needs of your lifestyle. Some expats prefer a location close to the working spouse’s workplace, however this may cause hardship for other members of the family, especially the house spouse. Networking, which allows one to learn from the experiences of other expats, can be extremely important in Korea.
  
  Ask your realtor to take you to the bus/subway stops nearest the unit he/she is showing you. You want to know how to get there on foot if you don’t have a car.
  
  
• Do not take for granted that things you can do in your home country in a rental unit are also allowed in Korea. Ask questions.
  
  
• Be clear in your own mind as to what you absolutely must have to survive (air conditioning, indoor parking, a full bath, dishwasher, lots of lights, a garden, security, etc.) and communicate that to your realtor. If you find you’re being taken to places without those necessities, clarify with the realtor (put them in writing if necessary) and go over the list before visiting the next unit. You have the right to refuse to go and waste everyone’s time if the place doesn’t have the amenity/ties you cannot live without.
  
  
• Make sure anything that has been agreed on is either in the lease or has been completed before you move in. In Korea, work is often done up front and then after that, it’s up to the goodwill of the owner.
  
  
• Make sure that you have included conditions and reasons for early termination of the lease agreement. And that you have registered your lease (see lease options for more)
  
  
• Check the property record before signing any lease, especially when paying key money, to find out if the owner really does own the property or if the property is being used as collateral on any kind of loan. Should you rent a property against which there is a lien, you may not get your money back should the owner breach the contract.
  
  
• Clarify in the lease whether it is the owner or tenant who pays for expenses related to public areas such as the parking lot and elevator.
  
  
• Attach an appendix to the lease regarding agreements on repairs for furnishing that come with the apartment such as the refrigerator, gas stove/oven, washing machine, drier, air conditioner, cable, satellite equipment, Internet connection, curtains, closets, etc. as well as repainting and redecoration of the lease property. Please note that the furnishings listed above are often provided by the tenant and not the landlord/lady.
  
  If you intend to hang pictures/art works on the walls, check to see if it's allowed (many property owners don't want holes put in their concrete walls). If they say it is allowed, you may want to have it stated in the lease to avoid finding out when you're moving out that you have to pay to fill in the holes in the walls.
  
  The outside windows of many small buildings in Korea are rarely if ever washed. You may want to talk to your property owner or agent about this before you sign the lease and see if you can work out an arrangement t have them cleaned periodically
  
  
• Get everything in writing. DO NOT RELY on verbal assurances.
  
  
• Take pictures of the property – inside and out – before you move in. This is very important in Korea.
  
  
• Make sure that the lease indicates that you are not responsible for ‘normal wear and tear’ and make sure that you and the owner are clear on what that means.
  
  
  Information on specific apartments and/or locations: See Korea4Expats.com Directory: http://www.korea4expats.com/Housing-service.html
  
  K4E Editor's Note: Korea4Expats.com wants to provide the most accurate and complete information possible so if you noticed any errors or omissions on this page, please let us know at info@korea4expats.com