Finding a new home or apartment can be a daunting task for most people. This can be equally frustrating when you are in a new city and unfamiliar neighbourhoods. Add to this being in a foreign country where you dont speak the language properly nor understand the laws and procedures can be enough to deter most people from attempting in Korea.

Renting an apartment in Korea is not as difficult as it may seem at first and can be quite simple once you understand the procedures and have sufficient money.

My first two years in Korea the school provided the apartment but the Public School Teaching Contract does have a Housing Allowance if you choose to take your own apartment. This may open the door to other problems with your school if you dont take your apartment which will need to be worked out with them. However the option is there for you to take the 400,000w ($350) Housing Allowance.

1. Key Money

The first requirement you need to have up front is 'Key Money'. This is a lump sum deposit and can range anywhere from 500,000w ($450) to 10,000,000 ($9,000). Whether you are moving in with a partner, sharing with friends, or going it alone, most landlords and rental contracts will require a lump sum deposit. This is used to earn interest by landlords and allow them to reduce your rent the higher your key money deposit is.

When I was looking in my neighbourhood most wanted 5,000,000 ($4,500). I was able to pay the 'foreigner card' with one landlord who agreed to 2,000,000 ($1,800). This is refundable at the end of your contract

2. Appliances

Landlords are not obligated to provide a fridge, stove, washing machine, or A/C. Often tenants will take their own bought appliances to their new apartment. Sometimes agents can arrange a package with the landlord to provide you with a set. Alternately if you are not taking your schools apartment they may be willing to provide theirs along with their bed and tv since they will all be going into storage anyway. Either way you must consider your options if the apartment has nothing included.

New appliances can start from 600,000w ($550) for either a fridge or washing machine or can be bought used at local markets. However if you dont plan on staying in Korea more than one year you must consider if this investment is worthwhile.

3. Agents Fee

Unlike back home both the tenant and the landlord will both pay an agents fee. This is a % of the key money so the more you put down the higher the agents proportional fee will also be.

4. Payable Dates

The day you sign the lease you will need to put some consideration down, normally 500,000w ($450). The first day of your lease you will need to pay the balance of the key money, plus the first months rent, plus the agents fee.

For example, if I rented a place for 400,000w/month with 5,000,000 key money the day I signed the lease I have to pay 500,000w deposit. On the move in day I play the remaining 4,500,000 + 400,000 first months rent + agents fee. So you need to budget for all this along with moving costs if you are renting a truck.

5. The Contract

Some concepts seemed strange at first but after getting the document translated it all seemed to make sense.

6. Choosing an Agent

This can be an important decision and affect your negotiation ability with the landlord and finding a good place to begin with. Most agents wont speak English but occasionally there are some that may cater to foreigners. Having some low intermediate conversation skills I was able to do most myself without having anyone come with me.

Once you explain your basics, move in date, price range, area, key money, size etc the agent will have enough to work with to start showing you apartments. Agent are plentiful in every neighbourhood so its best to choose your location first then goto a local agent there. Agents do not work out of territory so if you want them to show you a different neighbourhood they will take you to an agent there. I was lucky to find one very flexible and helpful even though he spoke little English.