Short-Term Officetel Rentals in Seoul
If you are in Seoul for a few months — a project posting, a semester, a relocation gap before you find a permanent place — a short-term officetel is the option that does not require a standard year lease or a large deposit. These are furnished units let by the month, with the deposit typically a fifth of what a conventional wolse contract asks.
What short-term officetels cost
As of 2026-07-28, across the officetels currently listed for short-term rent on Seoul Homes:
| Typical | |
|---|---|
| Monthly rent (median) | ₩1,500,000 |
| Middle 50% of listings | ₩1,350,000 – ₩1,850,000 |
| Deposit (median) | ₩2,000,000 |
| Size (median) | 29㎡ (about 9 pyeong) |
The deposit is the headline difference. A standard wolse officetel on this site carries a ₩10,000,000 median deposit; the short-term equivalent is ₩2,000,000. You pay for that flexibility in monthly rent per square metre — short-term units are smaller and priced higher per ㎡ than a 12-month contract — but the capital you need up front is far smaller, and it does not sit locked in Korea for a year.
How short is short
Minimum stays across these listings:
| Minimum term | Listings |
|---|---|
| 1 month | 2 |
| 3 months | 29 |
| 6 months | 5 |
Three months is the real market standard. Anything under a month is generally serviced-apartment or hotel territory rather than a lease, and single-month officetel availability is genuinely scarce — if you need 30 days, start looking early and expect a narrow choice.
Where they are
Short-term supply is far more concentrated than the standard rental market — six districts, clustered south of the river:
| District | Listings | Median rent |
|---|---|---|
| Gangnam-gu (강남구) | 19 | ₩1,600,000 |
| Seocho-gu (서초구) | 7 | ₩1,850,000 |
| Songpa-gu (송파구) | 6 | ₩1,425,000 |
| Mapo-gu (마포구) | 4 | ₩1,025,000 |
| Yongsan-gu (용산구) | 2 | ₩5,490,000 |
That concentration follows corporate demand: Gangnam, Seocho and Songpa are where most short-postings sit. Mapo is the value option, and consistently the cheapest of the five.
What to check
- Confirm what "furnished" includes. Most short-term officetels come with bed, desk, fridge, washing machine and air conditioning, but there is no standard — get the inventory in writing.
- Ask whether utilities and maintenance are bundled. Short-term units more often roll them into the monthly figure than standard leases do, but not always, and the difference is material at this rent level.
- Check the extension terms before you move in, not at the end. Short stays run over surprisingly often, and the rate for month 4 is much easier to agree in advance.
- Ask about resident registration if you need the address for a visa, a bank account or a phone contract. Not every short-term arrangement supports it.
Every unit here is listed by a Seoul Homes partner agent, so you are dealing with a licensed brokerage rather than a sublet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a short-term officetel in Seoul cost per month?
Across short-term officetels currently listed on Seoul Homes (as of 2026-07-28), the median is ₩1,500,000 per month, with the middle 50% between ₩1,350,000 and ₩1,850,000, and a median deposit of ₩2,000,000. Median size is 29㎡. Mapo-gu is the cheapest of the well-supplied districts at a ₩1,025,000 median.
What is the shortest lease I can get on a Seoul officetel?
Three months is the practical minimum — 29 of the 39 short-term officetels listed here have a three-month floor. One-month terms exist but are rare (2 listings). If you need under a month, you are realistically looking at serviced apartments or hotels rather than a lease.
How big is the deposit on a short-term rental?
Around ₩2,000,000 is typical — roughly a fifth of the ₩10,000,000 median deposit on a standard 12-month wolse officetel. That lower entry cost is the main reason short-term suits arrivals who do not yet want capital tied up in Korea.
Are short-term officetels furnished?
Nearly always, and that is the point of them — most include a bed, desk, fridge, washing machine and air conditioning. There is no legal standard for what "furnished" means, so ask for the specific inventory in writing before you commit.
Can I register my address at a short-term officetel?
Sometimes, but do not assume it. Resident registration depends on whether the unit is registered for residential use and on the owner's agreement. If you need the address for a visa application, a bank account or a phone contract, raise it before signing — your agent can confirm it with the owner.