Sharehouse Sublease Deposit Recovery

Case Details: Decent Law Firm's civil litigation team represented a client who had entered into a sublease agreement for a sharehouse, filing a deposit refund claim against a sublessor who refused to return the deposit — and secured a full judgment in the client's favor.

The client found the sharehouse through a Korean online community and entered into a sublease agreement with the defendant, paying a security deposit and monthly rent. After paying an initial deposit upfront, the client transferred the remaining balance along with the first month's rent directly to the defendant's account.

The defendant was the first to announce their intention to vacate, notifying the client to find alternative housing as well. The sublease was accordingly terminated. However, when the client requested the return of the deposit, the defendant refused, claiming that renovation costs made repayment impossible. The defendant later produced photographs of uncertain origin and a contractor's estimate in an attempt to hold the client liable for alleged damages.

Decent's Strategy: 1. Evidence Gathering and Legal Argumentation
The team compiled all relevant evidence — bank transfer records for the initial payment, security deposit, and monthly rent; KakaoTalk message logs documenting the defendant's refusal to return the deposit; and the photographs and contractor's estimate submitted by the defendant. We then built a clear legal argument, grounded in Supreme Court precedent, establishing that the damage the defendant pointed to amounted to nothing more than ordinary wear and tear for which a tenant bears no liability.

2. Precise Calculation of the Claim Amount
In addition to the outstanding deposit balance, we calculated a pro-rated refund for the period during which the client had already paid rent but was no longer residing in the property due to the early termination. This figure was incorporated into the claim filed with the court.

3. End-to-End Support Through Small Claims Proceedings
Despite the relatively modest sum involved, we prepared a comprehensive statement of claim addressing every legal issue in the case and provided close guidance throughout the entire process to ensure the client's rights were fully protected.

Outcome: "Full Judgment for Plaintiff: Sublease Deposit Refund Claim"

The court ordered the defendant to pay the client approximately 1.5 million KRW, plus statutory interest on the outstanding amount. Despite the defendant's insistence that renovation costs justified withholding the deposit, the court rejected that argument in its entirety and awarded the full amount claimed.

In sublease arrangements — particularly for sharehouses — written contracts are often absent, and it is not uncommon for sublessors to withhold deposits by citing renovation fees, cleaning charges, or alleged damages. Even when the amount at stake is relatively small, navigating the legal process and organizing evidence on your own can be challenging. With the right legal support, you can assert your rights with confidence.

If you are having difficulty recovering your deposit, contact Decent Law Firm — we know the answer.

#sharehouse deposit refund Korea # sublease dispute Seoul # tenant deposit recovery # small claims court Korea # security deposit withheld Korea

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