The rental deposit return guarantee fee subsidy is a program under which local governments reimburse all or part of the guarantee fee initially paid by tenants when enrolling in a return guarantee from HUG, HF, or SGI. Applicants in 2026 must first confirm that the guarantee remains valid and that they meet the income and housing requirements, then check whether their local government is currently accepting applications under its program for that year.
The subsidy cap is KRW 400,000, but not every applicant receives KRW 400,000. The actual payment varies depending on the applicant category, the guarantee fee actually paid, and the results of the local government's review.
One-Minute Check Before Applying
First, check whether all of the following apply.
- The rental deposit return guarantee remains valid as of the application date.
- The guarantee provider is one of HUG Korea Housing & Urban Guarantee Corporation, HF Korea Housing Finance Corporation, or SGI Seoul Guarantee.
- The rental deposit is at most KRW 300 million.
- The applicant does not own a home.
- The applicant's annual income is at most the threshold applicable to the applicant category.
- The guarantee fee was actually paid, and proof of payment is available.
- The applicant has not received duplicate assistance for the same guarantee fee from another institution or local government.
- The applicant's local government is accepting applications for the 2026 program and has funds remaining.
The specific age range for young applicants and the qualifying period for newlyweds must be checked in the official notice. This is because local governments may specify the age calculation date, length of marriage, and required documents under their ordinances or detailed guidelines.
Income Thresholds and Subsidy Amounts by Applicant Category
| Applicant category | Annual income threshold | Guarantee fee subsidy method |
|---|---|---|
| Young applicant | At most KRW 50 million | Full amount of the guarantee fee actually paid, up to KRW 400,000 |
| Non-young applicant | At most KRW 60 million | 90% of the guarantee fee actually paid, up to KRW 400,000 |
| Newlyweds | Combined spousal income of at most KRW 75 million | Full amount of the guarantee fee actually paid, up to KRW 400,000 |
For married applicants, whether spouses' incomes are combined is important. Applicants must follow the relevant local government's 2026 notice regarding which tax year's income data is used and which certificate of facts must be submitted when there is no income.
Calculating the Expected Subsidy
The subsidy can be calculated as follows.
- Young applicants and newlyweds: the lower of the
guarantee fee actually paidandKRW 400,000 - Non-young applicants: the lower of
guarantee fee actually paid × 90%andKRW 400,000
| Category | Guarantee fee paid | Calculation result | Expected subsidy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Young applicant or newlyweds | KRW 320,000 | Full amount is within the cap | KRW 320,000 |
| Young applicant or newlyweds | KRW 500,000 | KRW 400,000 cap applies | KRW 400,000 |
| Non-young applicant | KRW 300,000 | KRW 300,000 × 90% | KRW 270,000 |
| Non-young applicant | KRW 500,000 | KRW 450,000, but the cap applies | KRW 400,000 |
These calculations are examples intended to explain how the program works. The final subsidy is determined after the local government reviews the guarantee fee payment records and the applicant category.
Application Documents to Prepare
Forms and document validity periods may vary by local government, but the following materials are generally required.
| Document | Purpose of verification | Points to note when preparing it |
|---|---|---|
| Rental deposit return guarantee certificate | Verify the guarantee provider, covered property, and validity period | Confirm that the guarantee remains valid as of the application date. |
| Proof of guarantee fee payment | Verify the amount actually paid | If the amount paid is not shown on the guarantee certificate, prepare a receipt or separate payment confirmation. |
| Copy of the lease agreement | Verify the tenant, address, and deposit | Check the notice to determine whether a fixed-date stamp or lease renewal history is required. |
| Full certificate of registered real estate matters | Verify the rented home and ownership relationship | Check whether the local government will retrieve it directly or whether the applicant must submit it. |
| Resident registration certificate | Verify the address and household information | Check the scope of resident registration number disclosure and recent issuance requirements. |
| Income documents, such as a certificate of income amount | Review the annual income threshold | Check whether documents for both the applicant and spouse are required. |
| Marriage relationship certificate | Review eligibility as newlyweds or a married applicant | Check whether a detailed certificate is required. |
| Copy of a bankbook in the applicant's name | Pay the subsidy | The account holder's name must match the applicant's name. |
| Local government application form and pledge | Verify duplicate assistance and eligibility | Use the latest forms attached to the notice. |
If the applicant has no income or National Tax Service data has not yet been finalized, alternative documents such as a certificate of no reported income or pay statements may be required. Rather than omitting documents at your own discretion, it is safer to ask the responsible department whether alternatives are acceptable.
2026 Application Procedure
1. Check the Return Guarantee Status
Check the guarantee provider, guarantee number, guarantee period, rental deposit, and guarantee fee paid on the guarantee certificate. If the guarantee has already expired or been canceled, the applicant may not meet the requirements as of the application date.
2. Check the Applicant Category and Income
Determine whether you qualify as a young applicant, newlyweds, or another eligible applicant. Because the age requirement for young applicants and the duration of marriage for newlyweds are often calculated as of the application date, the date of birth and marriage registration date must be assessed under the standards in the notice.
3. Prepare Current Documents
Prepare documents issued within the validity period set by the local government. Also confirm that the applicant, tenant, and account holder names shown on the guarantee certificate and payment confirmation match one another.
4. Check the Notice from Your Local Government
Search for rental deposit return guarantee fee subsidy on the city, county, or district website. Be sure to check the following.
- The 2026 application opening and closing dates
- Whether applications are accepted through December 31 or close early when funds are exhausted
- Whether online, in-person, or mail applications are available
- Whether eligibility is based on the resident registration address or the location of the rented home
- The responsible department's telephone number and whether applications are currently being accepted
- Accepted document issuance periods and additional forms
Some regions may connect their application process to public portals such as Government24, but the actual application channel varies by region. Do not assume that there is a single nationwide application page; use the official channel listed in the relevant local government's notice.
5. Respond to Supplementation Requests and Confirm Payment
Keep the application number or application details. If additional documents are requested during the review, submit them within the specified period. After the payment decision is issued, check the deposit history of the account in the applicant's name. The fact that an application has been received does not mean that the subsidy has been approved.
