The impact of reverse jeonse incidents on the risk of nonreturn of security deposits: an empirical analysis of the South Korean housing market

Purpose This study aims to analyze the impact of reverse jeonse on the risk of nonreturn of security deposits in the South Korean housing market. Reverse jeonse refers to a situation where the market price of a jeonse contract drops below the agreed price, which increases the likelihood of landlords being unable to return deposits. Design/methodology/approach The analysis uses data from 17 South Korean regions, covering apartments and multifamily dwellings from 2017 to 2022. Key indicators of nonreturn risk include leasehold registration orders, court auctions and jeonse deposit guarantee incidents. A panel regression model is applied to quantify the correlation between reverse jeonse incidents and the increased risk of nonreturn. Findings The study finds that an increase in reverse jeonse incidents correlates with a higher frequency of leasehold registration orders, court auctions and deposit guarantee cases, particularly after 2021. Economic disruptions and policy changes exacerbated landlords’ financial burdens, highlighting the need for interventions to stabilize the jeonse market. Practical implications The findings suggest strengthening jeonse deposit guarantee schemes and refining legal procedures to mitigate the risk of nonreturn. Policy recommendations include targeted interventions to stabilize the market and protect tenant deposits. Originality/value This study fills a gap in existing literature by empirically linking reverse jeonse to the nonreturn of deposits and offering data-driven policy recommendations to ensure market stability and tenant protection.