How Much Is the Realtor Fee in Korea? What Foreigners Often Overpay

Using a certified real estate agent in Korea comes with an agency fee — called 중개보수 (jungaebosoo), or more colloquially 복비. It's a legal, expected part of renting, but the amount is often misunderstood.

Foreign renters in particular sometimes end up paying more than the legal limit simply because they don't know what the cap is.

This guide explains the fee structure, how to calculate what you should pay, and how to avoid being overcharged.

What Is Agency Fee(중개보수)?

Agency fee(중개보수) is the commission paid to a certified real estate agent (공인중개사) for facilitating a rental or sale transaction. In Korea, both the landlord and tenant pay the agent separately — you each pay your own fee. The agent does not split a single commission between both parties.

The fee is not fixed. It's determined by a legal maximum rate (상한요율), and within that ceiling, you can negotiate with the agent. Most transactions settle somewhere between 80–100% of the maximum rate, though in competitive areas with many agencies, negotiation is more realistic.

Legal Maximum Rate — Rental (임대차)

For residential properties (주택), the maximum agent fee is calculated based on the total transaction value, which for wolse (monthly rent) contracts is:

• If total value is ₩50 million or more: Deposit + (Monthly rent × 100)
• If total value is under ₩50 million: Deposit + (Monthly rent × 70)

For example with a higher-value contract: deposit ₩10,000,000 + monthly rent ₩600,000 → Total value = ₩10,000,000 + (₩600,000 × 100) = ₩70,000,000 → use the ×100 formula

For example with a lower-value contract: deposit ₩3,000,000 + monthly rent ₩400,000 → First check: ₩3,000,000 + (₩400,000 × 100) = ₩43,000,000 → under ₩50 million → use ×70 → Total value = ₩3,000,000 + (₩400,000 × 70) = ₩31,000,000

The maximum fee rate then applies to this total value:

Source: 공인중개사법 시행규칙 제20조 / MyHome Portal →

Continuing the example above: Total value ₩70,000,000 → falls in the ₩50–100 million bracket → max rate 0.4% → max fee = ₩280,000

For officetel units (오피스텔) that meet certain facility requirements, the max rate is 0.4% for rental transactions (no separate cap). For officetels that don't meet those requirements, up to 0.9% may apply. Always clarify which category your unit falls under.

*The rate may vary by region.

What Foreigners Often Overpay — And Why

Not knowing the legal cap The most common situation: an agent names a fee and the tenant pays it without knowing there's a legal maximum. In Korea, agents are legally prohibited from charging above the cap — but if you don't know the number, you have no way to push back.

Paying a round number that exceeds the cap "₩500,000 복비" sounds reasonable for a ₩700,000/month studio — but it may well exceed the legal maximum. Calculate the cap yourself before meeting the agent.

Paying extra "service fees" on top of 중개보수 Some agents add charges for "document preparation," "translation," or other extras on top of the standard 중개보수. Under Korean law, agents cannot charge fees beyond 중개보수 and documented actual expenses (실비). If an agent tries to add unexplained extras, ask for written justification.

Language barrier leading to unclear agreements Foreign renters who don't understand Korean may agree to fee amounts without fully understanding what they're agreeing to. Always confirm the fee amount in writing before proceeding.

How to Calculate Your Maximum Fee

1. Calculate a preliminary total: Deposit + (Monthly rent × 100)
2. If that preliminary total is under ₩50 million, recalculate using: Deposit + (Monthly rent × 70)
3. Find which bracket the final total falls into from the table above
4. Multiply by the maximum rate
5. That's the most you should pay

Use the official calculator at 마이홈포털 →

How to Verify an Agent's License

Before working with any agent, verify their license through the Korean Real Estate Agency Association:

Online verification: www.kar.or.kr → 정보마당 → 개업공인중개사 조회

A licensed agent (개업공인중개사) must:

• Display their license certificate visibly in the office
• Have a registered office address
• Carry professional liability insurance (공제증서)

If an agent can't show their license or seems reluctant to do so, walk away.

How CheckmateKorea Handles Agent Fees

One of the common frustrations for foreign renters in Korea is that agent fees aren't always disclosed upfront — you often don't know what you'll be charged until you're sitting at the table, ready to sign.

CheckmateKorea works with a curated network of foreign-friendly certified agents (공인중개사) who are transparent about fees from the outset. The agent fee applicable to your transaction is communicated clearly before you commit — no surprises at signing.

If you want someone to handle the full contract process — property search, viewing, contract review, and signing — CheckmateKorea's contract accompaniment service covers the process end to end, in English.

Get support with contract from a verified, foreign-friendly manager →