Deposit Return Demand Letter Korea — Fill in English, Print in Korean

This is a general-purpose letter for reference, not legal advice. If you expect a dispute, get help from a lawyer or a public service such as the Korea Legal Aid Corporation (대한법률구조공단).

What the Korean letter says

The letter states that your lease with the landlord ended (or ends) on the end date, asks for the deposit to be returned to your account by the date you choose, and says that if it is not returned you will take legal steps such as applying for a lease registration order (임차권등기명령) under Article 3-3 of the Housing Lease Protection Act.

A lease registration order lets you keep your priority over the deposit even after you move out (Act Art. 3-3(5)). If you need to move before you are paid, apply for it and wait until it appears on the property register before moving.

How to send it as certified mail (내용증명)

Content-certified mail (내용증명) is registered mail for which Korea Post certifies what document you sent, to whom and when (Enforcement Rule of the Postal Service Act, Art. 25(1)4(a)). It is the usual way to prove you made a demand or gave notice on a certain date.

Print three identical copies on A4: one original for the landlord and two copies (Art. 48(1)). The post office keeps one copy for three years from the day after sending and gives the other back to you (Art. 48(3)). You can also send it online through the Korea Post e-certified mail service.

Take the three copies and your ID to any post office counter and ask for 내용증명.
A notice takes effect when it reaches the other side, not when you post it (Civil Act Art. 111(1)). If the arrival date matters, ask for delivery certification (배달증명) as well.
Certified mail proves what you sent. It does not force the landlord to pay; that takes a court procedure.

Deposit Return Demand Letter: common questions

Q. Can I write my name in English?

A. Yes. Write it as on your alien registration card. The rest of the letter is generated in Korean so the landlord, and later a court, can read it.

Q. Should I send it before or after the lease ends?

A. Either. Sending it shortly before the end date shows you asked on time; sending it after shows the landlord has not paid. What matters is having a dated record.

Q. What if the landlord still does not pay?

A. You can apply to the district court for a lease registration order (임차권등기명령), and you can apply to the Housing Lease Dispute Mediation Committee. For a lawsuit, consider free legal aid from the Korea Legal Aid Corporation (대한법률구조공단).

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