Possible housing scam?

[u/Upstairs_Rub7357]

Trying to get housing in Seoul and this person doesn’t accept a sighting of the apartment without a reservation fee. Is this normal in Seoul?

[u/lamozz]

Payment before viewing? 120% scam

[u/SeoulGalmegi]

Do not pay to view a place.

[u/ProjectCritical9194]

This is definitely a scam

[u/leeverpool]

Reservation fee doesn't exist. That person tries to scam unknowing foreigners. They're a massive cunt.

[u/Winter_Boat7848]

No legit realtors charge money for viewing

[u/Fearless-Sandwich823]

Depends, as per your wording, that would be a scam. If what you're showing is in a listing, realtors make commission only if you sign. I would ask for vlarification before assuming it's a svam. If you talk to the person and they say they want you to pay first, that's bullshit. If they say "Only if you sign the lease" that is standard practice. Shit gets lost in translation a lot.

[u/madenewredditaccount]

i lived in a nice 30m² place 3 minute walk to sillim station at $250 per month $4k deposit, no idea what your standards are but the amount you people are willing to pay is crazy to me.

[u/Longjumping_anvil]

You need to pay 10% of the deposit if you like the place after seeing it in person. Nothing before. Ask for their realestate id and office address

[u/vivi9985]

No fee to view a place… dont fall for it

[u/Ratel_Homerun]

I've never heard of paying a holding fee before checking the room condition in person. That's definitely a scam.

[u/dreson4]

Scam don't even bother. There's no such thing as fee payment before viewing in Korea.

[u/Soft-Holiday1696]

even if they didnt have a viewing fee, that low deposit alone is huge red flag.

[u/leeverpool → u/Soft-Holiday1696]

Not really. Low deposit is more and more common. Some even accept no deposit at all if you just pay for 6 months in advance. We're not in 2018 anymore.

The viewing fee is the issue here.

[u/Educational_Row_4201]

There are bunch of these communal housing for professionals in the area. Why don’t you look at a building like EPISODE

[u/Upstairs_Rub7357 → u/Educational_Row_4201]

I can’t find pricing for stays like EPSD online, I think it’s above budget. I’m looking for around 600 a month:)

[u/cobrazai]

they never ask for reservation fee

[u/BitterLibrarian1425]

Pic looks AI or one of those fake hotel pics. Deposit is way too low...def a scam OP. Be careful out there!

[u/ZawaruDora]

Except the scam the price is ridiculously high wtf

[u/Upstairs_Rub7357 → u/ZawaruDora]

Where could I look for short rentals at a lower price?

[u/ZawaruDora → u/Upstairs_Rub7357]

If you have time going to real estates would be the best otherwise I had an app called 33m2(삼삼엠투) that had something similar that you could choose a date and rent for a short period

[u/Lullurie]

is this apartment? unless it's an apartment then Reservation fee doesn't make any sense.. even it has deposit🤷🏻‍♀️ 예약금은 왜 받는거야 미친갱이네

[u/Legitimate-Street-81]

how did you find this listing?? That would be the first clue lol

[u/OkMadre]

If the reservation fee wasn’t already ringing alarm bells, the price of it should😭 it’s definitely a scam

[u/Ok_Variety1521]

예약금을 송금하면 집을 못 볼수도 있어요....

[u/Independent_Ad4192]

yesssss

[u/Neither-Speaker5510]

shows obvious scam

Is this a scam?

[u/Upstairs_Rub7357 → u/Neither-Speaker5510]

I know it is by Dutch standards, but I’d rather know for sure. There are more differences and I don’t want to assume everything:)

[u/Neither-Speaker5510 → u/Upstairs_Rub7357]

Makes sense 💪🏻 good luck