Apartments & Homes for Rent in Seoul
Last updated: 2026-09-07 · Seoul Homes
Monthly rent (wolse) for furnished homes in Seoul starts around ₩1,000,000/month, with most foreigner-ready apartments and officetels running between ₩1M and ₩3M depending on size, district and deposit. Browse apartments, officetels, studios and houses on monthly (wolse), long-term or jeonse terms — every listing handled by an English-speaking, verified realtor who explains deposits, contracts and the foreigner paperwork.
Properties
Monthly rent (wolse) in Seoul
Monthly rent — wolse (월세) — is the most common choice for foreigners: a manageable deposit (보증금) plus a fixed monthly payment. A bigger deposit usually buys a lower monthly rent, so the two are negotiable against each other. Most furnished, move-in-ready officetels and studios near business districts and universities are let this way, which is why monthly rentals suit people arriving on short notice.
Long-term leases
Standard residential leases in Korea run for two years (renewable), whether on wolse or jeonse. A long-term wolse lease gives you a stable monthly cost and the same tenant protections; it is the usual setup once you have settled in and want more space than a short-term unit offers. If you need only a few months, browse short-term rentals instead.
Jeonse vs wolse
Jeonse (전세) is a large, fully-refundable lump-sum deposit — often 50–70% of the property value — with no monthly rent; you get the entire deposit back at the end of the lease. Wolse (월세) is a smaller deposit plus monthly rent. Foreigners can use either, but wolse is faster to arrange because jeonse ties up a very large amount of capital. A good realtor runs the deposit-safety checks (등기부등본, landlord verification) either way.
How much is rent in Seoul?
Monthly rent varies widely by district, size and furnishing. For current figures, see the median monthly rent and price-per-pyeong for every Seoul district on our Seoul home prices guide. Central and southern districts such as Gangnam command the highest rents; northern and outer districts are markedly cheaper.
Renting as a foreigner
You will typically need your passport / Alien Registration Card and proof of funds. The realtor handles the contract, the deposit-safety checks and move-in. Furnished, foreigner-friendly units cluster near business districts (Gangnam), universities (Sinchon, Hongdae) and creative neighbourhoods (Mapo).
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is rent in Seoul?
It depends on the district, unit size and furnishing. See the median monthly rent for every Seoul district on our Seoul home prices guide. As a rough guide, a furnished studio or officetel in a central district costs more per month than a comparable unit in an outer district, and a larger deposit lowers the monthly figure.
What is the difference between monthly rent and a long-term rental in Seoul?
Monthly rent (wolse) is a deposit plus a fixed monthly payment and can be arranged for short or long stays. A long-term lease is a standard two-year residential contract — on either wolse or jeonse — that gives you a stable cost and full tenant protections. Foreigners can use any of these.
How does renting work in Seoul?
Two main models: jeonse (전세), a large refundable lump-sum deposit with no monthly rent; and wolse (월세), a smaller deposit plus monthly rent. Both are open to foreigners, and a verified realtor handles the contract and deposit-safety checks.
Can foreigners rent an apartment in Seoul?
Yes. You will generally need a passport or Alien Registration Card and proof of funds. Many listings are furnished and foreigner-friendly, and our realtors speak English.
Are furnished rentals available?
Yes — furnished, move-in-ready units are common, especially officetels and units near business districts and universities. Each listing notes whether it is furnished.