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Move‑In Survival Guide: 15 Must‑Do Steps in Your First Month in a Korean Apartment

15 essential steps for foreigners moving into a Korean apartment: utilities, internet, gas, trash, ondol heating, building rules, apps, costs, and life hacks.

TL;DR: In your first month in a Korean apartment, do these 15 things: inspect the unit and document damage; register at the 관리사무소 (management office); set up electricity with KEPCO (home.kepco.co.kr); turn on city gas or contact your gas company (check the meter); order internet from KT / SK Broadband / LG U+ (installation ~3–7 days, 27,000–40,000 KRW/month); sort trash using 종량제 bags and schedule bulky pickup; learn how the ondol (floor heating) or boiler works (common brands: Navien, Rinnai, Kiturami); get a Korean phone number and bank account for bill payments; buy essentials on Coupang or at convenience stores. Keep passport, ARC, and bank info handy. Follow building rules (quiet hours, elevator booking for move day) and ask the 관리사무소 for help.

What should I do the day I move in?

  • Take timestamped photos and a short video of every room, the condition of walls/floors, the meter readings (electricity, gas, water), and any furniture the landlord provided.
  • Fill out a condition checklist with the landlord or building office (관리사무소) and keep a signed copy.
  • Ask the 관리사무소 for building rules, move-in/out elevator booking policy, parking information, building Wi‑Fi (if any), and the contact number for the building manager.

How do I set up electricity, water, and gas (utilities)?

  • Electricity (KEPCO): Register with Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO). Website: https://home.kepco.co.kr. Foreigners usually need passport + ARC (or passport + lease contract) and a Korean bank account or credit card for automatic payments. Typical monthly electricity: 30,000–80,000 KRW (varies by usage and season).
  • Water: Usually billed by the local district (구청). Management office can point you to the correct online portal or accept payments for you. Typical water cost: 10,000–30,000 KRW/month depending on household size.
  • Gas (city gas vs LPG): Check the gas meter or cylinder. City gas is common in apartments; the gas company name is often printed on the meter. If the gas is off, ask the landlord or call the gas company listed on the meter to open the service. If you have LPG cylinders, call the refill company listed on the tank. Estimated gas for cooking only: 10,000–30,000 KRW/month; heating via gas boiler is much higher in winter.
  • Important: Bring passport, ARC, lease (jeonse/wolse) and a Korean bank or card. Some suppliers accept utility setup via phone with a Korean number.

How do I get internet and TV? (Step‑by‑step)

  1. Choose a provider: KT (Olleh), SK Broadband, or LG U+. Websites:
  2. Typical plans and price ranges (examples):
ProviderTypical SpeedMonthly Price (KRW)Install Time
KT (Olleh)100 Mbps ~ 1 Gbps27,500–60,0003–7 days
SK Broadband100 Mbps ~ 1 Gbps25,000–55,0003–7 days
LG U+100 Mbps ~ 1 Gbps27,000–55,0003–7 days
  1. Sign up online or via phone. For fast installs, visit provider stores in person. If your apartment already has fiber/cable, installation is faster (sometimes same day).
  2. Payment: use a Korean bank account, credit card, or apps like KakaoPay/Toss. Many providers offer free router rental for a year or discount coupons.
  3. IPTV: If you want TV, add IPTV service (Olleh TV, B tv, U+ tv) for ~5,000–15,000 KRW extra/month.

What are common first‑month costs I should expect?

  • Internet installation fee: sometimes waived; otherwise ~30,000–50,000 KRW.
  • Electricity: 30,000–80,000 KRW/month.
  • Gas (cooking): 10,000–30,000 KRW/month; heating much higher in winter.
  • Water: 10,000–30,000 KRW/month.
  • Trash bags (종량제 봉투): 500–1,000 KRW per bag (price varies by district).
  • Key/card deposit or management fees (관리비): varies widely; check your lease.

How does trash work in Korea and what are the rules?

  • Most cities use pay-as-you-throw bags (종량제 봉투) for general garbage. Buy bags at convenience stores (GS25, CU, 7‑Eleven) or local supermarkets.
  • Recyclables are separated: paper, cans/metal, plastic, glass. Clean and sort before putting out.
  • Food waste (음식물 쓰레기) is often collected separately and may require special bags or chips/RFID-equipped bins; check your district's rules.
  • Bulky items: buy a 대형폐기물 sticker from the local community center, post office, or sometimes convenience stores, or use the local district office website to schedule pickup. You can also pay and book via your gu/dong website.
  • Violations can result in fines. Ask the 관리사무소 for your building's trash schedule and disposal location.

How do I use ondol (underfloor heating) and the boiler?

  • Ondol is the traditional underfloor heating system in modern apartments; it is usually controlled by a wall panel or the boiler (보일러).
  • Common boiler brands: Navien (네비엔), Rinnai (린나이), Kiturami (귀뚜라미). The boiler room or closet may have a label.
  • Basic tips:
    • Find the boiler remote/wall panel; it may have buttons for floor (온돌) and water/room heating (난방/온수).
    • Typical practice: set a comfortable floor temp (25–27°C) rather than maxing out; using a timer lowers cost.
    • Ventilate regularly when using ondol; excessive humidity can cause mold.
  • If you don’t understand the controls, call the 관리사무소 or the boiler brand’s service number (brand numbers are printed on the unit).

What building rules and etiquette should I know?

  • Quiet hours: most apartments enforce quiet after 10–11 PM (check your building rules).
  • Elevator reservations: required for large moves—book via the 관리사무소.
  • Smoking: usually prohibited in common areas.
  • Visitor and pet rules: check your lease and building association (입주자대표회의).
  • Noise and renovation: get permission and respect garbage/large-item procedures when disposing of construction waste.

What documents and items should I have ready to set up services?

  • Passport
  • Alien Registration Card (ARC) or residence card
  • Lease contract (임대차계약서)
  • Korean phone number (prepaid or SIM) and a Korean bank account for bill payments
  • Management office contact details and building code/keycard info

Where to buy essentials and life‑hacks for fast setup

  • Fast online shopping: Coupang (https://www.coupang.com), Gmarket (https://www.gmarket.co.kr), 11st (https://www.11st.co.kr). Same/next-day delivery often available.
  • Big-box: E‑Mart, Lotte Mart, Homeplus for groceries and bulk items.
  • Cheap housewares: Daiso and local markets.
  • Furniture: IKEA Korea (https://www.ikea.kr) and local second‑hand markets (당근마켓, 번개장터).
  • Use KakaoTalk (카카오톡) to communicate with landlords and building management; use Toss (토스) and KakaoPay for easy transfers and bill payments.

15‑Step Move‑In Checklist (first month)

  1. Inspect unit + take photos/videos and note meter readings.
  2. Register with 관리사무소 and get building rules, elevator reservation info, and keycard details.
  3. Set up electricity with KEPCO (https://home.kepco.co.kr) — bring ID and bank info.
  4. Open gas service (check meter label) or contact LPG supplier if cylinder — test stove and hot water.
  5. Register water account via local district or ask management office.
  6. Order internet/TV from KT, SK Broadband, or LG U+ — schedule installation.
  7. Get a Korean phone number and open a bank account (KakaoBank, KEB Hana, KB Kookmin) if you haven’t.
  8. Sign up for KakaoTalk + KakaoPay and Toss for easy payments.
  9. Buy official trash bags and learn recycling/food-waste rules.
  10. Read the boiler/ondol manual or ask building manager how to operate.
  11. Buy bedding suitable for ondol (thin mattress + breathable sheets); consider dehumidifiers in humid months.
  12. Check smoke detector, carbon monoxide detector, and ask about emergency exits and fire extinguishers.
  13. Register bulky-items pickup if needed; buy 대형폐기물 sticker or book online via district office.
  14. Introduce yourself to the building manager and nearest neighbors — good for quick local help.
  15. Update your address on delivery apps, your employer/university, and government records if required.

Practical tips and problems to expect

  • Language: many management offices have limited English; bring a Korean-speaking friend or use translation apps. KakaoTalk translators and Papago (https://papago.naver.com) help.
  • Payment hiccups: if a provider needs a Korean card/bank account, ask the 관리사무소 if they can pay and bill you through the building (some do).
  • Dirty or nonfunctional appliances: report immediately and document with photos; landlords are typically responsible for major faults.

Quick resources and useful websites

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I set up electricity and gas in Korea? A: Contact KEPCO for electricity (https://home.kepco.co.kr) with passport/ARC and bank info. For gas, check the meter for the company name and call them or ask your landlord/관리사무소 to open service. If you have LPG cylinders, contact the supplier on the cylinder.

Q: How do I dispose of trash in Korea? A: Use district-designated pay-as-you-throw bags (종량제 봉투) for general waste, sort recyclables, and follow local food-waste rules. Buy bulky-item stickers (대형폐기물 스티커) or book pickup via your district office.

Q: How do I use ondol heating in a Korean apartment? A: Ondol is usually controlled by the boiler or a wall panel. Identify the boiler brand (Navien, Rinnai, Kiturami), read the panel for 난방 (heating) and 온수 (hot water) settings, and use timers/temperature settings to save cost. Ask 관리사무소 for help if unsure.

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