How to Check Your Jeonse Deposit Safety
A jeonse deposit is at risk when the combined total of the deposit and any existing mortgages on the property exceeds what the property could realistically sell for at auction. In Korea, foreclosure auctions typically settle at around 70% of the registered property value. If the deposit plus liens exceeds that threshold, tenants may not recover their full deposit.
This calculator uses three inputs — the property's market value, your deposit, and any registered mortgages — to compute a combined risk ratio. A ratio below 60% is generally safe; 70–80% warrants caution; above 80% is high risk. Always verify lien status at the Korean Real Estate Registry (property registry) before signing any jeonse contract.
Frequently Asked Questions
Partially. Tenants who complete residence registration and receive a move-in confirmation (move-in confirmation date) gain priority — but only over funds remaining after senior lienholders are paid in foreclosure.
Experts recommend keeping the deposit at or below 60% of the property's registered value, with no major mortgages on the property. Any higher warrants deposit insurance or renegotiation.