SORA RENTAL NOTE · 21
What if a relative or manager signs for the landlord?
Check identity, authority to sign, and authority to receive your deposit before renting through a landlord’s representative in Korea.
Content checked · 3 October 2026
The key points
- Being the landlord’s relative or building manager does not automatically establish authority to sign.
- Check the representative’s identity and authority for this room and these terms.
- Confirm who may receive the deposit and the landlord’s verified payment instructions.
01 — 04
Start with the comic
A family member came instead of the landlord. Can I sign right away?
First, check his authority for this lease, not just the family relationship.
The letter mentions signing. Where should I send the deposit?
Confirm the terms and who may receive it with the landlord first.
A representative can sign—with the right authority
- Owner
- Representative
- Authority
A landlord does not always need to attend in person. Under Civil Act Article 114, a representative acting within their authority and identifying the landlord as the person represented can bind that landlord.
Family ties, management duties or possession of keys do not alone establish authority for this lease. Compare the registered owner with the proposed landlord; investigate the authority to let if they differ. A broker’s role in introducing the room is also separate from authority to sign for its landlord.
Check who authorized what
- Identity
- Authority
- Confirm with the party
Review identification and evidence of authorization, such as a power of attorney and supporting seal certificate. Check the address, room, deposit, rent, term, delegated tasks and date. Possessing documents does not automatically establish authenticity or continuing authority.
Contact the independently verified landlord where possible to confirm the representative and exact terms, and retain a record. Identify the landlord and representative’s role clearly in the lease. If Korean is unfamiliar, obtain an explanation of the key authorization terms in a language you understand.
Check authority to receive money too
- Authority
- Receiving account
- Money paid
If the representative requests payment to their own account, first verify authority to receive the deposit and the landlord’s instructions. Prefer a verified landlord account where appropriate; using it does not itself cure missing authority to sign.
For a third-party account, document the landlord’s authorization and account designation. Pause signing and payment if identity, authority or instructions remain unverified. Under Article 130, unauthorized contracts generally do not bind the landlord without ratification—later approval. Apparent-authority exceptions require separate legal conditions.
What to check
- Match the owner, landlord and representative’s identities and roles.
- Check the room, financial terms, lease term and delegated tasks.
- Verify signing and payment authority with the landlord.
- Keep the signed lease, authorization evidence and payment records.
Common questions
Can I skip checks if the representative is the landlord’s spouse?
No. Marriage alone does not establish authority for this rental. Confirm the actual authorization and scope.
Must every power of attorney be notarized?
No universal notarization requirement applies to every rental representation. Authenticity and actual authority matter; documents issued overseas may need additional verification.
Official sources
These laws and public-agency materials concern renting in Korea. Source documents are mainly in Korean.