Professional Consultants to Visit Traditional Markets and Shopping Districts
for the 'Commercial Lease Consultation Center'
Held Every Thursday at Seongdong Safe Shopping Center
for Those Unable to Visit in Person
Seongdong-gu (Mayor Jung Won-oh) announced that it will expand the existing ‘Commercial Lease Consultation Center’ to a ‘Visiting Commercial Lease Consultation Center’ to improve convenience for small business owners, including merchants in traditional markets and shopping districts.
The ‘Seongdong-gu Commercial Lease Consultation Center’ was the first specialized commercial lease consultation institution introduced among autonomous districts nationwide in August 2022. It plays a role in resolving disputes related to commercial leases and protecting the local commercial area by providing legal support to tenants who are vulnerable to related laws.
It operates every Thursday on the 7th floor of Seongdong Safe Shopping Center (Seongsu-ilro 12-gil 20) and offers professional consultations related to commercial leases, including ▲ adjustment of rent (monthly rent and deposit) increases ▲ return and recovery of key money ▲ contract renewal and termination ▲ assistance with contract drafting, along with detailed guidance on related laws. Anyone, including Seongdong-gu residents as well as landlords and tenants in the area, can use the service by making a prior reservation through the Seongdong-gu Office website or the Department of Sustainable Development.
Last year, a total of 119 consultations were conducted over 43 sessions. The number of consultations was highest for contract-related issues (39 cases), followed by key money (21 cases), rent (20 cases), and eviction (10 cases). According to a user satisfaction survey, 95% of respondents said the consultation was practically helpful in resolving their problems. Overall satisfaction with the service was also high at 91%, and 95% of respondents said they would recommend the service to others, showing great satisfaction with the ‘Commercial Lease Consultation Center.’
Starting this year, to improve user convenience, the ‘Visiting Commercial Lease Consultation Center’ will be expanded in addition to the operation of the ‘Commercial Lease Consultation Center.’
The ‘Visiting Commercial Lease Consultation Center’ involves professional consultants visiting merchants in traditional markets and shopping districts on the last Wednesday of each month to provide customized legal support as well as key cases and related information that landlords and tenants must know. Applications can be made by contacting the merchants’ association or the business promotion association by phone or email during the relevant month.
In addition, the district supports the ‘Commercial Building Lease Dispute Mediation Committee’ linked with Seoul City for cases requiring dispute mediation. The ‘Dispute Mediation Committee’ is a system where committee members from Seoul City’s Commercial Lease Dispute Mediation Committee, composed of lawyers, appraisers, architects, etc., visit the commercial site near the applicant to conduct mediation, helping small business owners who find it difficult to leave their business premises for long periods.
The mediation agreement accepted by both parties has the same enforceability as a court judgment, reducing the cost and time required to resolve disputes through litigation. Disputes over rent, key money, lease periods, and repair and maintenance obligations can be mediated, and applications can be made on-site after commercial lease consultation.
Jung Won-oh, Mayor of Seongdong-gu, said, “Through the expanded operation of the ‘Visiting Commercial Lease Consultation Center,’ we expect not only improved daily convenience for small business owners and residents but also practical help for economic activities.” He added, “We will continue to strive to implement various policies to stabilize the local commercial area and realize a sustainable and mutually prosperous city.”
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