You can line up a room in Seoul before you land. Here is how renting with Ziptoss works from abroad, step by step, and what each stage costs you.
1. Consultation
Tell us four things: the area you want, your budget for deposit and monthly rent, your move-in date, and how long you plan to stay. An agent comes back with rooms that fit, and asks about the details that narrow a search quickly, such as whether you need furniture, an elevator or a separate kitchen.
The clearer your brief, the fewer rounds this takes. If you are not sure what your budget realistically buys, our guide to monthly rent in Seoul sets out the filed figures by district and property type.
2. Check the room in photos
When we find rooms that match your conditions, the agent at the Ziptoss branch covering that area sends you photos and other details of each room.
3. Transfer the holding deposit
Once you choose a room, a holding deposit takes it off the market. It is usually around 10 percent of the security deposit, it can be negotiated with the landlord, and it goes to the landlord rather than to us. From abroad you can send it through an international transfer service such as Wise or PayPal.
This is the point where the arrangement becomes binding, so it is worth knowing the rule behind it. Under Articles 565 and 567 of the Korean Civil Act, until either side has started performing the contract, a tenant who walks away forfeits the holding deposit, and a landlord who walks away returns double. Contracts can set different terms, so read what you sign and ask your agent before you send money if anything is unclear.
4. Sign, then move in
An agent goes through the lease with you clause by clause, including the special terms landlords often add, and the contract can be signed remotely. The rest of the security deposit, the first month’s rent, the maintenance fee and the brokerage fee are due before or on your move-in day, and the door code is handed over once payment is confirmed.
Our guide to Ziptoss service fees shows how the brokerage fee is calculated, so you can work out that figure in advance.
After you arrive
Two steps protect your deposit and neither of them can be done before you move in. File your residence report within 15 days of moving in, and get a fixed date stamped on your lease at the same community centre. Our guide to protecting your rental deposit explains what each one does and what happens if you skip them.
Start your search
Send us your budget and move-in date through our inquiry form, or message us on our KakaoTalk channel and we will start looking with you.
Browse available rooms on Ziptoss →
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