"I'm Afraid of Rental Scams—How Should I Sign a Contract?"... Seoul Metropolitan Government Publishes E-Book on Rental Scam Prevention

[Financial News] The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on the 13th that it has published a customized rental scam prevention guidebook for young adults and newcomers to society who have no prior experience with lease contracts.
The guidebook, 'Jeonse Contract, No More Fear – Jeonse Fraud Prevention A to Z,' offers practical information that can be immediately applied at the contract site, from checking housing prices and prior-ranking rights before signing, to a checklist for licensed real estate agents and tips for drafting special contract clauses.
A key feature of this guidebook is its content tailored to the characteristics of the younger generation. Instead of a dry manual, it presents the entire lease process in a conversational format between the Haechi character and the Head of the Jeonse Fraud Victim Support Team. For young people familiar with social media, key points are summarized in infographics and checklists.
In particular, it addresses frequently asked questions from young adults, such as 'What is the jeonse price ratio?' and 'When should I get the fixed date?' in a Q&A format, allowing readers to find answers quickly.
The guidebook also features real contract cases focused on small housing types commonly inhabited by young people, such as one-room, two-room apartments, and officetels. It provides detailed guidance on precautions and response strategies for various situations, from jeonse deposits under 100 million won to new officetels and apartments.
As rental scam tactics targeting young adults have become increasingly sophisticated, the guidebook separately analyzes and presents common scam types. For 'Trust Housing' rental scams, it clearly explains the structure in which a lessee cannot recover their deposit if a contract is signed without authorization by the trustee of a property owned by a trust company. It also provides step-by-step instructions on how to check the Trust Register and obtain a consent form from the trust company.
The guidebook also introduces real-life cases where young people are easily lured by low deposits into high jeonse price ratio 'Jeonse Scam' properties or one-room apartments that violate the Building Act. For each risk scenario, a 'Must-Check' section highlights key checkpoints at a glance.
The entire guidebook is systematically organized into three stages—before, during, and after the jeonse contract—divided into 18 detailed sections, making it easy to find the necessary information immediately.
Before signing, the guidebook covers how to check housing prices, calculate the jeonse price ratio, verify prior-ranking rights, and review the building register. During the contract, it guides readers through verifying the landlord’s identity, required contract details, drafting special clauses, and real estate agent checkpoints. After the contract, it explains the moving-in report procedure, how to apply for a fixed date, enroll in jeonse deposit insurance, and verify the rights of previous tenants.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government explained that the guidebook was produced as an e-book to suit the needs of young people. It can be accessed anytime on a smartphone, and users can capture and share specific sections with friends, optimizing it for young adults’ information usage patterns. The guidebook is available for free download from the Seoul Housing Portal and can also be accessed through the Seoul Metropolitan Library’s e-book service.
Choi Jinseok, Director of Housing at the Seoul Metropolitan Government, stated, 'We expect the e-book, "Jeonse Contract, No More Fear," to serve as a reliable guide so that young people do not become discouraged by housing issues.' He added, 'We will continue to provide practical policy content and administrative services to help newcomers to society become well-prepared tenants and sign their first contracts safely.'

ming@fnnews.com Jeon Min-kyung Reporter