SORA RENTAL NOTE · 26
Can my lease end because I paid rent late twice?
Understand Korea’s two-installment rent-arrears rule, why late payments differ from unpaid rent, and why a deposit does not replace monthly payments.
Content checked · 3 October 2026
The key points
- The key figure is unpaid rent, not simply the number of late payments.
- Arrears equal to two monthly installments can give the landlord a right to terminate.
- A large security deposit does not let you stop paying rent.
01 — 04
Start with the comic
I paid late twice. Do I have to leave?
Paying late twice is different from owing two months’ rent.
I caught up both times. I have the transfers.
Let’s check the dates and outstanding balance together.
Count unpaid rent, not calendar mistakes
- Monthly rent
- Total unpaid rent
- Payment due date
Under Korean Civil Act Article 640, a landlord may terminate a building lease when unpaid rent reaches two installments. An installment means the agreed payment interval. For rent paid monthly, the threshold is two months’ rent.
At KRW 600,000 per month, that means KRW 1,200,000 outstanding. The missed months need not be consecutive. Two late payments that were each cleared, without reaching this threshold, do not mean the same thing.
Termination is not automatic
- Termination conditions
- Notify the other party
- Legal requirements
Check whether the landlord exercised the right to terminate and whether the notice reached you. Compare the balance at that time with transfer records and any agreed payment schedule. Do not ignore a termination message.
Paying after a valid termination does not automatically restore the lease. Arrears also do not authorize a landlord simply to change your door code or remove your belongings. Ending the agreement and obtaining possession are separate matters.
Keep rent separate from the deposit
- Refundable deposit
- Monthly rent
- Receipt and breakdown
A refundable security deposit is not permission to skip rent during the lease. If both parties agree to use part of it for particular installments, record the months and amounts in writing.
If an overseas transfer or scholarship payment will arrive late, contact the landlord before rent is due. Propose specific dates and amounts. Asking for understanding alone does not change the due date; keep the landlord’s agreement too.
What to check
- Check the agreed rent and due date.
- List each month’s charge, payment and remaining balance.
- Request a clear payment arrangement before an expected delay.
- Save any termination notice and the date you received it.
Common questions
Does being one day late twice automatically qualify?
No. Check whether arrears reached two installments and what happened afterwards. Even smaller delays still breach the payment obligation, so observe your due dates.
Can I use the deposit for the final two months?
Do not stop paying without an agreement. Confirm which installments will be covered and how the remaining deposit will be settled.
Official sources
These laws and public-agency materials concern renting in Korea. Source documents are mainly in Korean.