🇰🇷 Korea Bans Airbnb Studio & Officetel Rentals in 2025 — What Foreigners Need to Know (Superhost Guide)
Big Changes Are Coming to Airbnb in Korea
If you're planning to visit Korea in 2025 or later, here’s something very important you need to know:
Starting October 2025, most studio apartments & officetels will no longer be allowed on Airbnb due to new Korean government regulations.
As a 9-year Airbnb Superhost in Korea, let me explain exactly what’s happening — and how you can still stay comfortably during your trip.
Why is Airbnb banning Studio Apartments & Officetels?
The short answer: the law is changing.
Under current Korean law, short-term rentals are only allowed for certain residential property types — like detached houses, villas, or apartments.
Unfortunately, studio apartments and officetels are legally classified as commercial buildings, not residential homes.
Until now, many studios and officetels were still listed on Airbnb because regulations weren’t strictly enforced. But with new legal updates coming into effect, Airbnb has decided to proactively remove these types of listings to avoid legal risks starting October 2025.
But weren't Studios & Officetels extremely popular?
Absolutely yes.
In fact, many foreign travelers prefer these types of accommodations because:
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They’re affordable
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They have full amenities: kitchen, laundry, desk space, etc.
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They’re perfect for solo travelers, couples, students, and long-term visitors
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They feel more like a home than a hotel
Despite this strong demand, the legal system in Korea has not fully adapted to reflect what modern travelers actually want. This gap between law and reality is why so many hosts — like myself — are affected.
My 9-Year Superhost Story
I’ve been operating on Airbnb for 9 years, and I’ve never once lost my Superhost badge.
All my listings have consistently maintained 4.9+ star ratings, and many of my guests return repeatedly — some visiting 3, 4, or even 5 times.
Because of these long-term relationships, I’ve decided that even after Airbnb removes these listings,
I will continue offering my studio apartments & officetels independently.
This is not just business for me. My entire family helps run these rooms, and many of my own Korean language students also stay here while studying in Korea.
Why I deeply understand this business
Beyond my hosting experience:
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My father has been a real estate agent in Korea for over 40 years.
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I also hold my own Korean real estate license.
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This allows me to operate fully within the legal framework while still providing personal, safe, and high-quality accommodations.
👉 And the good news for you: without Airbnb service fees, you can book my rooms even more affordably directly through my website.
** Because I operate as a legal rental business (not under short-term Airbnb regulations), bookings require a minimum stay period according to Korean rental laws.
How you can still book my rooms
Even though Airbnb will no longer allow these listings after October 2025, my rooms remain fully available for direct booking:
👉 Check my available rooms here:
🌐 tingssam.com
👉 Follow my Instagram for updates & behind-the-scenes stories:
📸 https://www.instagram.com/tingssam_housing?igsh=YjRyYWgxc2U2NXoz&utm_source=qr
👉 Full stories on my channel!
Summary
🇰🇷 In short: Korea's Airbnb laws are changing — but if you’ve stayed with me before or are planning to visit Korea soon, you can still enjoy my studio apartments & officetels directly.
As always, I look forward to welcoming you to Seoul, and providing a safe, comfortable stay with care from my family.