Can Prospective Newlyweds Apply for Housing Subscription Without Marriage Registration? [Real Estate A to Z by Reporter Ryu Tae-min]

Public Sale Newlywed Special Supply Application Available... Proof of Marriage Required Before Move-in
Private First-time Special Supply Only Available for Units Under 60㎡

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Tae-min] As housing prices soar to unprecedented heights, apartment subscription is considered the most effective option for securing a home. In particular, the special supply for newlyweds (teukgong) and the first-time special supply have different eligibility requirements by type, causing prospective newlyweds to face deep concerns. Since once the marriage registration is done, it cannot be undone, they seek options with higher chances of winning the subscription.

First, the eligibility criteria for the newlywed special supply differ depending on whether it is a public or private sale. For public sale apartments, prospective newlyweds can apply for the newlywed special supply. If selected, they must prove their marriage before moving into the apartment. However, in public newlywed special supply, couples with children are given first priority in the resident selection order, and prospective newlyweds without children are assigned second priority, leading to criticism that it is a "pipe dream" for prospective newlyweds. On the other hand, for private sale apartments, proof of marriage is required to win the newlywed special supply, so prospective newlyweds cannot apply.

The eligibility for the first-time special supply is the opposite. For public sale apartments, applicants must be married to qualify for the first-time special supply, so prospective newlyweds are not eligible. Conversely, for private sale first-time special supply, prospective newlyweds who have not registered their marriage can apply, but only for complexes with a floor area of 60㎡ or less. If they want to apply for apartments of 84㎡ or larger, which are considered "national standard size," they must complete their marriage registration.

Meanwhile, for the newlywed hope town (Sinhee Town) supplied for newlyweds, not only couples married within 7 years but also prospective newlyweds can apply for subscription. Prospective newlyweds who win the subscription must prove their marriage within one year from the announcement date. However, since Sinhee Town mainly supplies small apartments and includes a "repurchase condition" clause in loan products, it should be fully considered that the capital gains from price differences do not entirely belong to the contract holder.

Park Ji-min, head of the Monthly Subscription Research Institute, advised, "In the newlywed special supply, winning or losing is mainly determined by the number of children, so the probability of winning should be carefully considered," adding, "Once the marriage registration is done, the couple's income is combined, which can make loans more difficult and bring various restrictions."