Real Estate Agent Fees in Korea: Legal Maximum for Jeonse, Monthly Rent and Purchase
Agent fees in Korea are agreed with the agent within the maximum rates in Article 20 and Annex 1 of the Enforcement Rule of the Licensed Real Estate Agents Act.
For homes, the maximum is 0.4–0.7% for a purchase and 0.3–0.6% for a lease, with fixed ceilings in the lower brackets such as under ₩50 million.
For monthly rent, the deal amount is the deposit plus rent × 100, or the deposit plus rent × 70 if the first sum is under ₩50 million.
How the fee is set
The agent fee (중개보수, often called 복비 “bokbi”) is agreed between you and the licensed agent, up to the legal maximum. For homes, the maximum rates by deal type and amount are in Article 20 and Annex 1 of the Enforcement Rule of the Licensed Real Estate Agents Act (「공인중개사법 시행규칙」).
The fee is the deal amount × the maximum rate, and where a bracket has a ceiling, the fee cannot exceed it. In a purchase the seller and buyer each pay; in a lease the landlord and tenant each pay.
Leases (jeonse and monthly rent)
| Deal amount | Max rate | Ceiling |
|---|---|---|
| Under ₩50 million | 0.5% | ₩200,000 |
| ₩50 million – under ₩100 million | 0.4% | ₩300,000 |
| ₩100 million – under ₩600 million | 0.3% | None |
| ₩600 million – under ₩1.2 billion | 0.4% | None |
| ₩1.2 billion – under ₩1.5 billion | 0.5% | None |
| ₩1.5 billion or more | 0.6% | None |
Converting a monthly-rent lease to a deal amount
For a monthly-rent lease, the deal amount is deposit + (monthly rent × 100). If that is under ₩50 million, use deposit + (monthly rent × 70) instead (Enforcement Rule Art. 20(5)).
Work out your fee with the agent fee calculator
Purchases
| Deal amount | Max rate | Ceiling |
|---|---|---|
| Under ₩50 million | 0.6% | ₩250,000 |
| ₩50 million – under ₩200 million | 0.5% | ₩800,000 |
| ₩200 million – under ₩900 million | 0.4% | None |
| ₩900 million – under ₩1.2 billion | 0.5% | None |
| ₩1.2 billion – under ₩1.5 billion | 0.6% | None |
| ₩1.5 billion or more | 0.7% | None |
Worked examples
Hypothetical figures. The actual fee is whatever you agree within the maximum.
| Deal | Deal amount | Calculation | Maximum fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jeonse ₩300 million | ₩300 million | × 0.3% | ₩900,000 |
| Deposit ₩10 million, rent ₩500,000 | ₩10M + ₩500,000 × 100 = ₩60 million | × 0.4% | ₩240,000 |
| Deposit ₩5 million, rent ₩300,000 | ₩5M + ₩300,000 × 100 = ₩35 million → under ₩50M, so ₩5M + ₩300,000 × 70 = ₩26 million | × 0.5% | ₩130,000 |
| Purchase ₩800 million | ₩800 million | × 0.4% | ₩3,200,000 |
Common questions
Q. Do I have to pay the maximum?
A. No. The rates are the most an agent may charge; agree the actual amount before you sign.
Q. What is the fee on a ₩200 million jeonse?
A. It falls in the ₩100 million – under ₩600 million bracket, so the maximum is 0.3%: ₩600,000.
Q. Are officetels charged the same?
A. No. A residential officetel that meets the requirements (85㎡ or less, with its own kitchen, toilet and bathing facilities) has its own maximum of 0.5% for a purchase and 0.4% for a lease (Annex 2).
Official source (Korean): https://www.law.go.kr/법령/공인중개사법시행규칙
This guide explains Korean law in general terms and is not legal advice. Laws change, so check the official text before you act.
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