"Where can I find a place to stay for just one month?"
People look for one-month rentals for many reasons: a month-long business trip, a gap between move-out and move-in dates, trying a new neighborhood, or wanting to try living in Seoul for a month. But when you search, common problems come up.
Hotels are expensive for a month, standard studios usually require a large deposit and a 1-year lease, and platforms can be confusing to compare. This guide summarizes costs, platforms, and tips for first-time one-month short-term renters.
What is a one-month short-term rental?
A one-month short-term rental is a fully furnished lease you can book for short periods. Unlike standard monthly rent (1-year leases, deposits around ₩5,000,000–₩10,000,000), you can book short stays without a big deposit through dedicated platforms like SamSam M2 or plott LIFE. Since units are full-option with furniture and appliances, you can move in with just your suitcase.
Who looks for one-month short-term rentals?
① Employees on a one-month business trip or assignment
② People with about a month between moves
③ Those who want to try living in a new neighborhood after changing jobs
④ People needing temporary housing during renovations
⑤ Those wanting to try a one-month stay in Seoul/the metro area
⑥ Patients needing to stay near a hospital for about a month
⑦ People finding a temporary home for a short stay in a new city
How much does a one-month short-term rental cost?
Costs vary by area, features, and platform. Typical ranges in Seoul are below.
Area | One-month rental | Long-stay hotel |
|---|---|---|
Gangnam / Yeoksam / Seolleung | ₩700,000–₩1,000,000 | ₩2,000,000–₩3,000,000 |
Seongsu / Mapo / Hongdae | ₩550,000–₩800,000 | ₩1,800,000–₩2,500,000 |
Euljiro / Jongno | ₩500,000–₩750,000 | ₩1,500,000–₩2,300,000 |
Yeouido | ₩650,000–₩900,000 | ₩1,800,000–₩2,600,000 |
Incheon / Songdo / Siheung | ₩450,000–₩700,000 | ₩1,300,000–₩2,000,000 |
※ These ranges are approximate and include management fees; actual prices depend on the listing.
You can live in a place with cooking and laundry for less than half the cost of a hotel.
Platform comparison — SamSam M2 vs plott LIFE
The most searched platforms for one-month stays are SamSam M2 and plott LIFE.
SamSam M2 | plott LIFE | |
|---|---|---|
Deposit | ₩330,000 | ₩0 |
One-month booking | Available | Available (from 7 days) |
Utilities & bills | Varies by listing | All included in rent |
Full-option | Varies by listing | All furniture & appliances included |
Cooking & laundry | Varies by listing | Available |
Source: SamSam M2 · plott LIFE official sites (2025)
💡 For one-month rentals, always check whether utilities are included.
If electricity, gas, water, or internet are billed separately, your actual monthly cost can rise by ₩100,000–₩200,000.
Checklist before signing a one-month short-term lease
① Are utilities and bills included?
If electricity, gas, water, or internet are billed separately, your budget can be disrupted.
plott LIFE rent is all-in-one, so there are no extra bills.
SamSam M2 applies different utility structures depending on the listing.
② Is cooking and laundry allowed?
Eating out every day for a month can add ₩300,000–₩500,000 in food costs.
Make sure the listing is full-option with a kitchen and washer.
③ Can you extend the stay?
Plans often change.
Check before signing whether you can extend in 1-week increments and if terms change on extension.
④ Record the room condition before move-in
Take photos and videos of the entire room on move-in day.
This is the simplest way to prevent disputes about restoring the room at checkout.
One-month rental vs hotel — which is better?
Comparing a one-month stay:
Hotel is better for short trips of 1–2 weeks when you don’t need cooking or laundry.
One-month short-term rental is better if you’ll stay a month or more, need cooking and laundry, and want to save money. Platforms like SamSam M2 or plott LIFE offer living-ready spaces for less than half the cost of hotels.
FAQ — Common questions about one-month short-term rentals
Q. How much is the deposit for a one-month rental?
A. It varies by platform. SamSam M2 has a fixed deposit of ₩330,000.
plott LIFE direct listings have a ₩0 deposit. Much lower than regular studios (₩5,000,000–₩10,000,000).
Q. Can I book a one-month stay through SamSam M2?
A. Yes. SamSam M2 accepts bookings from 1 week, so one-month stays are possible.
plott LIFE allows bookings in 1-week increments with no maximum term.
Q. Are utilities billed separately?
A. It depends on the platform and listing. SamSam M2 varies by listing.
plott LIFE includes electricity, water, gas, and internet in the rent.
Always confirm what’s included before signing.
Q. Can I cook in a one-month short-term rental?
A. It depends on the platform and listing. plott LIFE offers full-option studios with cooking allowed.
SamSam M2’s cooking policy varies by listing.
Q. Can I extend my stay?
A. Yes. plott LIFE lets you extend flexibly in 1-week increments.
SamSam M2 allows extensions up to 12 weeks.
Find one-month stay listings on short-term rental platforms.
To avoid trial-and-error, start by comparing deposit, utilities, and full-option features on platforms like SamSam M2 and plott LIFE before you book.
plott LIFE — Platform for one-month stays and short-term rentals
Deposit ₩0 · Weekly bookings · Fully furnished · All-in-one rent
Start your search for one-month stays and short-term rentals on plott LIFE.