In a housing-contract dispute, what matters is not who's right but who has the evidence. Here's a practical sequence so foreign tenants don't lose out on deposits, repairs, or penalties.
Dispute types and key evidence
- Deposit return: contract, move-in photos, transfer records
- Defects (mold, leaks): before/after photos, repair-request texts
- Termination penalties: special-clause terms, notice records
- Broken verbal promises: KakaoTalk, text, email screenshots
Response order
Define the dispute as the single highest-value issue, then organize evidence chronologically, keep originals, and follow a file-naming rule. If negotiation stalls, use an official body like the Housing Lease Dispute Mediation Committee.
Guide to evidence-gathering and negotiation order for foreign tenants