Rental Reporting System in Korea 2026: Fines, Filing, and What Tenants Must Know
Korea’s rental reporting system (jeonwolse singoje) requires tenants and landlords to report jeonse and wolse contracts to the government within 30 days if the deposit exceeds 60 million KRW or monthly rent exceeds 300,000 KRW. With the grace period now over, failing to report can result in fines up to 1 million KRW for both parties. The biggest benefit of reporting is the automatic confirmed date (hwakjeongil), which legally protects your deposit without a separate trip to the community center.
If you are renting in Korea, here is everything you need to know about the system.
Why Does This System Exist?
The rental reporting system was introduced in June 2021 to bring transparency to Korea’s rental market.
Before this system, there was no centralized record of jeonse and wolse contracts. The government could not accurately track rental prices, and tenants were more vulnerable to deposit fraud (jeonse sagi).
What changed with this system:
- Rental contract data is now officially collected and tracked
- Helps prevent jeonse fraud by creating an official record
- Confirmed date (hwakjeongil) is automatically granted when you report, at no cost
- Landlord income reporting gaps are reduced
Who Must Report?
Not every rental contract requires reporting. Here are the thresholds.
Contracts that must be reported
- Deposit exceeds 60 million KRW
- Monthly rent exceeds 300,000 KRW
- If either condition is met, reporting is mandatory
- New contracts, renewed contracts (with changed terms), and contract terminations all require reporting
Contracts exempt from reporting
- Deposit of 60 million KRW or less AND monthly rent of 300,000 KRW or less
- University dormitories, company housing, and similar special arrangements
How to Cancel Forgotten Subscriptions - audit your housing-related recurring costs
Reporting deadline
- Within 30 days of signing the contract
- Missing the deadline makes you subject to fines
What Are the Fines?
Now that the grace period has ended, real penalties apply.
- Failure to report: Up to 1 million KRW
- False reporting: Up to 1 million KRW
- Fines are graduated based on delay period and contract value
- Both landlord and tenant can be fined separately
The simplest way to avoid fines is to report within 30 days of signing. It takes about 10 minutes online.
How to Report (Step by Step)
Online reporting (recommended)
- Go to the Real Estate Transaction Management System (rtms.molit.go.kr)
- Register and log in
- Select the rental contract report menu
- Enter contract details: address (including building and unit number), deposit amount, monthly rent, lease period
- Attach a scanned copy or photo of the contract
- Submit. Confirmed date (hwakjeongil) is automatically granted.
You can also file through Government 24 (gov.kr) with the same process.
In-person reporting
- Visit your local community center (juminsente / haengjeongbokjisente)
- Bring the rental contract report form and a copy of your lease
- Both landlord and tenant should ideally file together, but either party can file alone
Through your real estate agent
- If you used a licensed agent (gongin junggaesa), they can file the report on your behalf
- Ask them to handle it at the time of contract signing for convenience
Why the Confirmed Date Matters
The automatic confirmed date (hwakjeongil) is the single biggest benefit of this reporting system.
A confirmed date legally establishes when you registered your lease. If the landlord defaults or the property is foreclosed, the confirmed date determines your priority for getting your deposit back.
Before the reporting system:
- Go to community center separately
- Request confirmed date
- Pay a fee
Now:
- File the rental report
- Confirmed date is assigned automatically
- No extra cost
Given the prevalence of jeonse fraud in Korea, this automatic protection is extremely valuable, especially for foreigners who may be less familiar with the system.
Do I Need to Report Renewals?
It depends on whether the terms changed.
- Deposit or rent amount changed during renewal: reporting required
- Same terms, automatic renewal (muksijeok gaengshin): no reporting needed
- Silent renewal with no changes: no reporting needed
- Contract termination: reporting required
What Mistakes Should You Avoid?
Filing errors that cause problems
- Reporting after the 30-day deadline (results in fines)
- Not knowing that jeonse-only contracts (deposit only, no monthly rent) also require reporting if the deposit exceeds 60 million KRW
- Forgetting to re-report when renewal terms change
- Assuming the real estate agent filed but never confirming
Data accuracy matters
- Use the exact address from your contract, down to the building and unit number
- Make sure deposit and rent amounts match your contract exactly
- Enter lease start and end dates accurately
- Have a clear scan or photo of your contract ready to upload
Tips for Foreign Tenants
If you are an expat renting in Korea, keep these points in mind.
- You can file the report yourself, even without your landlord’s participation
- The online system is in Korean, but browser translation tools work reasonably well
- If you used a real estate agent, ask them to file on your behalf at signing
- Keep a copy of your report confirmation for your records
- The confirmed date protects your deposit legally, so never skip reporting
Budget Phone Plans in Korea - another fixed cost you can optimize as a tenant
Summary
The rental reporting system may seem like paperwork, but the automatic confirmed date is a significant benefit for tenants. In an era where jeonse fraud has become a serious social issue, reporting your contract officially protects your deposit under the law.
File within 30 days of signing. It takes 10 minutes online. Do not put it off.
Money Saving Tips for Daily Life - practical savings advice for your overall housing budget Best Budgeting Apps for 2026 - track rent and housing costs alongside other expenses
What is the jeonwolse singoje (rental reporting system)?
It is a mandatory system requiring landlords and tenants to report jeonse (lump-sum deposit) and wolse (monthly rent) contracts to the local government within 30 days of signing. It applies to contracts with deposits over 60 million KRW or monthly rent over 300,000 KRW. The system has been in effect since June 2021.
What happens if I do not report my rental contract?
After the grace period ended, failure to report can result in fines up to 1 million KRW. Fines are assessed based on the delay period and contract amount, and both the landlord and tenant can be fined separately. Filing a false report also carries up to 1 million KRW in fines.
How do I report my rental contract online?
You can report through the Real Estate Transaction Management System (rtms.molit.go.kr) or through Government 24 (gov.kr). Log in, enter the contract details (address, deposit, rent, lease period), attach a copy of the contract, and submit. You can also visit your local community center (juminsente) in person.
Do I get a confirmed date (hwakjeongil) automatically when I report?
Yes. When you complete the rental report, you automatically receive a confirmed date (hwakjeongil) for free. Previously, you had to visit the community center separately and pay a fee. This confirmed date is crucial for protecting your deposit in case the landlord defaults.


