Jeonse/Wolse Conversion Calculator

Last updated: 2026-06-25

TL;DR

To convert jeonse to monthly rent: monthly rent = (jeonse deposit − retained deposit) × conversion rate ÷ 12. The legal cap on the conversion rate is base rate (3.5%) + 2% = 5.5% by default.

To convert monthly rent to jeonse: jeonse equivalent = monthly rent × 12 ÷ conversion rate + deposit.

Jeonse/Wolse Conversion

Direction
KRW
Enter the current (pre-conversion) jeonse deposit.
KRW
Deposit kept after converting to rent. Use 0 for pure monthly rent.
%
Legal cap = base rate (3.5%) + 2% = 5.5% (default).

The legal cap on the conversion rate changes with the base rate. For the actual cap, check the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Bank of Korea base rate.

How to use

  1. Choose direction — Select jeonse → wolse or wolse → jeonse.
  2. Enter amounts and rate — Enter the jeonse deposit (or monthly rent and deposit) and the conversion rate (default 5.5%).
  3. View the result — Click Calculate to see the converted monthly rent or the required jeonse deposit.

How jeonse/wolse conversion is calculated

The jeonse/wolse conversion rate is the annual rate applied when converting a jeonse deposit into monthly rent. When converting part or all of the jeonse to rent, multiply the converted amount by the conversion rate and divide by 12 months to get the monthly rent. Conversely, to convert monthly rent to jeonse, divide one year of rent (rent × 12) by the conversion rate to get the jeonse equivalent, then add the existing deposit.

Jeonse/wolse conversion formulas
DirectionFormulaExample (rate 5.5%)
Jeonse → WolseRent = (jeonse deposit − retained deposit) × rate ÷ 12Converting 200M KRW ≈ 916,667 KRW/month
Wolse → JeonseJeonse = rent × 12 ÷ rate + deposit900K/month → about 196M KRW plus deposit

Under Korea's Housing Lease Protection Act, the legal cap on the conversion rate is the lower of 'base rate + presidential-decree rate (currently 2%)' and '10% per year'. If the Bank of Korea base rate is 3.5%, the cap is 5.5%. In practice, a rate at or below the cap is negotiated, and any conversion above the cap is void. For the full set of taxes and costs in a home transaction, see the guide Taxes and Costs When Buying a Home in Korea.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the jeonse/wolse conversion formula?

Monthly rent = (jeonse deposit − retained deposit) × conversion rate ÷ 12. In other words, multiply the amount being converted to rent by the annual conversion rate, then divide by 12. Conversely, jeonse equivalent = monthly rent × 12 ÷ conversion rate + deposit.

What is the legal cap on the jeonse/wolse conversion rate?

Under Korea's Housing Lease Protection Act, the conversion-rate cap is the lower of 'base rate + a rate set by presidential decree (currently 2%)' and '10% per year'. At a base rate of 3.5%, the cap is 5.5%, which this calculator uses by default. The cap changes when the base rate changes.

Does a higher conversion rate benefit the tenant?

A higher conversion rate means a larger monthly rent for the same deposit, so it is worse for the tenant. A lower rate reduces the monthly burden. That is why a legal cap exists to protect tenants.

Can I use this for semi-jeonse (banjeonse)?

Yes. For semi-jeonse, where only part of the jeonse deposit is converted to rent, choose the 'jeonse to wolse' direction and enter the jeonse deposit and the deposit you keep; the calculator computes the rent for the difference. Set the retained deposit to 0 for a pure monthly-rent conversion.

Last updated: 2026-06-25