Tenants Can Access 'Unpaid Local Taxes' Without Landlord Consent Starting April

Gyeonggi Province will allow the viewing of landlords' unpaid local taxes without the landlord's consent starting in April.

From April, tenants will be able to view 'unpaid local taxes' without the landlord's consent.

Gyeonggi Province announced on the 29th that starting in April, tenants of residential and commercial buildings with a deposit exceeding 10 million won will be able to directly check the landlord's unpaid local taxes at the tax offices of city, county, and district offices within the province without the landlord's consent.

Until now, tenants could only apply to view unpaid local taxes to the head of the local government where the property is located with the landlord's consent. However, with the partial amendment of the Local Tax Collection Act promulgated on the 14th and effective from the 1st of next month, tenants will be able to freely view the landlord's unpaid local taxes.

Prospective tenants can apply to view unpaid local taxes by bringing the lease contract from the contract date to the lease period start date to the tax office of the city, county, or district. The local government head will notify the landlord of the viewing.

Earlier, on the 15th, the province announced comprehensive measures to eradicate Jeonse fraud, including the establishment and operation of a Jeonse Damage Support Center, emergency housing support for Jeonse fraud victims, and operation of a counseling center to prevent "empty Jeonse" damage.

Since 97% of Jeonse fraud damage is concentrated in the Seoul metropolitan area, the province expects that this amendment to the Local Tax Collection Act will significantly help prevent Jeonse fraud damage.

Ryu Young-yong, Director of the Tax Justice Division of the province, emphasized, "Prospective tenants can use this system to thoroughly check the landlord's unpaid tax status before moving in," adding, "We will strive for active promotion and flawless implementation of the system to prevent Jeonse fraud damage."

Meanwhile, unpaid national taxes can also be checked nationwide at tax offices without the landlord's consent from the lease contract date to the lease period start date, just like local taxes.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.