Apartments & Homes for Rent in Seoul

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).