South Korean Landlord Fined for Cutting Off Tenant's Water Over Late Rent

A building owner in South Korea has been handed a fine for ordering a water cutoff to a tenant who had missed a single rent payment.

The tenant had leased an officetel unit under terms of a 2 million won deposit and 1.05 million won monthly rent. According to the lease agreement, rent was due by the 3rd of each month. After the tenant failed to pay the rent by the 10th of March, the landlord instructed building management staff to cut off the water supply.

The landlord argued that the action was permissible under the terms of the lease, which included a clause allowing for a water cutoff if management fees were unpaid for a month. However, the court found this justification insufficient. The court stated that while the lease agreement might contain such a clause, resorting to a water cutoff for a single instance of late rent payment was not justifiable, especially when other legal procedures were available.

In its ruling, the Incheon District Court fined the 70-year-old landlord, identified as Mr. A, 500,000 won for violating the rights of the tenant. The court emphasized that the landlord's actions went beyond what could be considered reasonable or lawful, even with the contractual clause in place.

“

The defendant's action of cutting off water for just one instance of late rent payment cannot be justified.