A 'minimum support payment' system, which covers the shortfall when a jeonse fraud victim's recovered deposit falls below a certain level, will take effect on November 13. An 'advance payment' system for cases requiring support before the auction or public sale of the affected housing is completed will also be introduced. The core of the system is setting one-third of the jeonse fraud victim's lease deposit as the 'minimum guaranteed amount.'

■ One-Third of Deposit as the Standard... How the Minimum Support Payment Is Calculated

Under the amended 'Special Act on Support for Jeonse Fraud Victims and Housing Stability,' victims defined by law may apply for a minimum support payment covering the shortfall if the combined total of ▲money received through exercising their counterclaim rights or priority repayment rights ▲money repaid through lease deposit refund claims, and ▲related support amounts falls below one-third of the lease deposit.

For example, if the lease deposit is 150 million won, the minimum guaranteed amount is 50 million won. If the victim has already recovered 20 million won through auction dividends and 10 million won through auction gains, for a total recovery of 30 million won, the 20 million won shortfall up to the 50 million won minimum guaranteed amount would be calculated as the minimum support payment.

However, this does not mean 'one-third of the deposit will be paid uniformly to all jeonse fraud victims.' Applicants must meet the eligibility and application requirements defined by law, and the structure calculates the shortfall by taking into account amounts already recovered or received as support.

■ 'Advance Payment and Post-Settlement' When Money Is Needed Before Auction or Public Sale Ends

An 'advance payment and post-settlement' system will also be implemented for victims who need support before auctions or public sales are concluded. For instance, if a victim with a 150 million won deposit has already received 10 million won in rental support, 40 million won—calculated by subtracting the existing recovery from the 50 million won minimum guaranteed amount—would be determined as the advance payment. Settlement will then be conducted reflecting the actual deposit recovery results.

■ Review Within 90 Days... One 30-Day Extension Allowed for Unavoidable Reasons

A deadline is also set for deciding whether to pay the minimum support payment and advance payment. The amended law requires a decision on payment eligibility within 90 days of receiving the application. If there are unavoidable reasons, such as supplementing application documents, the period may be extended once by up to 30 days.

Situations where the victim receives additional deposit refunds after receiving support payments must also be considered. If amounts to be returned arise due to additional recoveries, they must be reported and settled. Failure to return the amounts within the designated period may result in collection and fines under the law.

■ New Procedure to Check Landlord Loan and Delinquency Information

A procedure allowing the government to access landlords' financial information for jeonse fraud victim support has also been established. When necessary, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport will be able to receive credit information prescribed by law, such as landlords' loan and delinquency status, through credit information agencies.

■ Based on the Amendment of May 12, 2026... Retroactively Applied to Already-Confirmed Victims

This system is based on the Jeonse Fraud Victims Act amended on May 12, 2026. The provisions on minimum support payments and advance payments take effect on November 13, 2026, six months after promulgation. Notably, the amended law includes application provisions allowing the minimum support payment and advance payment regulations to apply to minimum-guarantee victims already determined to be jeonse fraud victims before the provisions take effect.

Accordingly, jeonse fraud victims need to check ▲how much of their deposit they have already recovered ▲how much support they have previously received, and ▲whether they qualify for the minimum support payment or advance payment.

[This article was written for informational purposes based on the Special Act on Support for Jeonse Fraud Victims and Housing Stability and related public materials. Actual support eligibility and amounts may vary depending on victim recognition status, deposit recovery amounts, prior support received, and individual circumstances. Before applying, applicants should check the latest guidance from relevant agencies such as the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and LH, as well as the enforced statutes. AI assistance was used in the writing and editing of this article.]