“I signed a short-term lease and didn’t expect this to happen.”

Short-term rentals are easy to find, but if you don’t check the contract closely, unexpected problems can occur.
According to the Korea Consumer Agency, disputes over short-term rentals have risen recently. The most common issues are extra utility or service charges, delayed deposit returns, and disagreements over restoration costs.
Here are 8 must-check items before signing a short-term lease.

Short-term rental — what to know first

Short-term rentals differ legally from regular monthly leases.
Regular monthly leases are protected by the Housing Lease Protection Act, which gives rights like guaranteed contract period, deposit return protection, and limits on rent increases.
Most short-term rentals are classified as temporary-use leases, so the Housing Lease Protection Act often doesn’t apply.

In short, what’s written in the contract is everything. Checking the terms before signing is far more important than with a regular monthly lease.

8 things to check for short-term rentals

① Confirm whether utilities and fees are included

This is the most common dispute. People sign up for rent only to find electricity, gas, water, or internet billed separately.
If billed separately, expect an extra ₩100,000–200,000 per month. Before signing, get in writing exactly which items are “included in the service fee.”
SamsamM2’s listings vary by property.
plott LIFE’s managed listings use an all-in-one structure: electricity, water, gas, and internet are all included in the rent.

② Check deposit return terms

The contract should clearly state when and how your deposit will be returned.
Platforms like SamsamM2 and plott LIFE manage deposits with escrow.
If you sign directly with a private landlord, make sure the deposit return terms and deadline are clearly written in the contract.

③ Check early move-out terms

Business trips and move dates change more often than you think. Confirm before signing whether there’s a penalty for early termination and how much it is.
If you were told “no penalty” verbally, ask to have it written in the contract.
plott LIFE allows week-by-week adjustments, which reduces this burden.

④ Check restoration (original condition) terms

Before moving in, confirm how strictly the landlord expects the unit restored on move-out. Vague “restore to original condition” wording can lead to excessive charges.
Take detailed photos and videos of the whole unit on move-in day — it’s the best way to prevent disputes.
Be sure to document wall scratches, appliance function, and any furniture damage.

⑤ Check whether cleaning fees are charged

Some listings charge a separate cleaning fee at move-out — often ₩100,000–200,000 — and if it’s not in the contract it can lead to disputes.
Confirm in writing whether cleaning is included before signing.

⑥ Verify the actual full-option contents

Photos may look fully furnished, but the actual setup can differ. Confirm that bed, fridge, washer, microwave, aircon, Wi‑Fi, and desk are present and working.
Also check how issues with missing or broken items are handled. Platform contracts often include in-app reporting and refund procedures; with private deals, you must handle it directly with the landlord.

⑦ Check resident registration & fixed-date receipt

Short-term rentals often fall outside the Housing Lease Protection Act. Even if you register your residence or get a fixed-date receipt, deposit protection may be limited.
If there’s a deposit, check in advance what legal protection applies based on the contract structure and amount. If the deposit is ₩0, this concern doesn’t apply.

⑧ Platform contracts are generally safer than private deals

Source: SamsamM2 & plott LIFE official websites (2025)
Using a specialized short-term rental platform like SamsamM2 or plott LIFE automatically handles many of the issues above within the platform structure.

Short-term rental checklist — quick summary

Verify each item before signing.

✅ Confirm whether utilities, electricity, gas, water, internet are included
✅ Check deposit return terms and deadlines in the contract
✅ Confirm whether early-move-out penalties exist and how much
✅ Make sure restoration scope is written in the contract
✅ Confirm whether move-out cleaning is charged separately
✅ Inspect the full-option setup in person
✅ Record the room’s condition with photos/videos on move-in day
✅ Check whether you’re using a platform contract

FAQ — common short-term rental questions

Q. Does the Housing Lease Protection Act not apply to short-term rentals?

A. Most short-term rentals (temporary-use leases under one year) are not covered by the Housing Lease Protection Act.
Because the contract terms are everything, checking conditions before signing is much more important than with regular monthly leases.

Q. Do short-term rentals often bill utilities separately?

A. It varies by platform. SamsamM2 applies different fee structures by listing.
plott LIFE includes electricity, water, gas, and internet in the rent. Always get included items in writing before signing.

Q. Can I lose my deposit on a short-term rental?

A. If you sign directly with a private landlord and a dispute arises, you’ll have to resolve it between the parties.
Platforms like SamsamM2 and plott LIFE keep deposits in escrow and offer mediation for disputes.

Q. What’s most important when signing a short-term lease?

A. The three key items are whether utilities are included, early-move-out penalties, and restoration terms.
If they’re not clearly stated, get them in writing before you sign.

Start your short-term rental on a platform.

Using a specialist platform like SamsamM2 or plott LIFE gives you structured contracts and deposit management, making it far safer than a private deal.

plott LIFE — short-term rental specialist

Zero deposit · Weekly contracts · Full-option · All-in-one rent

If you want a safe short-term rental, start with plott LIFE.