If neither landlord nor tenant says anything as a Korean lease ends, it carries on on the same terms — implied renewal under Housing Lease Protection Act Article 6. It happens if the landlord gives no notice of refusal or new terms between 6 months and 2 months before the end, or the tenant gives none by 2 months before, and the new term counts as 2 years. After an implied renewal, though, the tenant can give notice at any time, taking effect 3 months after the landlord receives it (Art. 6-2). Enter the end date and the calculator shows the notice windows and when a termination takes effect.
1. Landlord’s notice 6 to 2 months before the end; tenant’s by 2 months before — otherwise renewed on the same terms (Art. 6(1)).
2. An implied renewal runs 2 years (Art. 6(2)); not for tenants two rent periods in arrears or in serious breach (para. 3).
3. After renewal the tenant may terminate at any time → effective after 3 months (Art. 6-2) — received 21 October 2026: from 22 January 2027 (our sum).
Calculator
Updates as you type. “6 months before” and “2 months before” are shown as the same date that many months earlier (our sum); the three months after a termination notice are counted with the first day excluded and the notice taking effect the day after they end (our reading).
The provisions
| Type | What the source says | Worth noting (ours) |
|---|---|---|
| Art. 6(1) | If the landlord gives no notice of refusal, or of not renewing without changed terms, between 6 months and 2 months before the end, the lease is deemed renewed on the same terms when it ends; likewise if the tenant gives no notice by 2 months before | Amended 9 June 2020 |
| Art. 6(2) | The renewed term is deemed 2 years | — |
| Art. 6(3) | Para. 1 doesn’t apply to a tenant in arrears of two periods’ rent or otherwise in serious breach | — |
| Art. 6-2 | After a renewal under Art. 6(1), the tenant may at any time give notice of termination, effective 3 months after the landlord receives it | No landlord right here |
Three sums — our example
| Case (our example) | Dates | Worth noting (our sum) |
|---|---|---|
| Ends 28 February 2027 | Landlord 28 Aug to 28 Dec 2026; tenant by 28 Dec | New term to 28 February 2029 |
| Ends 31 December 2026 | Landlord 30 Jun to 31 Oct 2026 | June has no 31st, so the 30th |
| Termination after renewal received 21 October 2026 | 3 months end 21 Jan 2027 → effective 22 Jan | First day excluded |
The Act doesn’t date “6 months before” and “2 months before” exactly, so the calculator shows the same date that many months earlier. Leave a day or two of slack near the boundary and use a method that proves delivery, such as certified mail (our gloss).
Implied renewal is separate from the tenant’s right to request renewal (Art. 6-3), covered in using the renewal right; lease reporting is in lease contract report.
Checklist
- ☐ The end date on the contract
- ☐ Moving out? Notify by 2 months before
- ☐ Did the landlord’s notice come 6 to 2 months before?
- ☐ After renewal, give 3 months’ notice before you move
- ☐ Make delivery provable
Questions that remain
Can the landlord terminate after an implied renewal?
Article 6-2 gives the right only to “the tenant”; nothing for the landlord there.
When does the deposit come back?
Once termination takes effect the lease ends, and it’s deemed to continue until the deposit is returned (Art. 4(2)). If it isn’t, see lease registration order.
Sources
- Korean law database (law.go.kr) — Housing Lease Protection Act Arts. 4, 6, 6-2 — source (current text, effective 2 January 2026, Act No. 21065; checked 21 October 2026). Two-year term and continuation until repayment, notice windows for implied renewal (6 to 2 months; 2 months), 2-year renewed term, the arrears exclusion, tenant termination with 3 months.
- Not read. Details of the Art. 6-3 renewal right; case law on when notice arrives.
- What we added. The “worth noting” column and the Korean everyday gloss.
Where to check further
- Housing Lease Dispute Mediation Committee — notice and termination disputes.
Written on 21 October 2026. The content is from the source; the glosses are ours.
