2026 Korean Housing Subscription Strategy — Scoring System, Lottery, and Special Supply Tips

> **Key Summary** In 2026, popular Seoul apartment subscription draws typically require at least 84 points under the points system to win. If your score is low, focus on districts with higher lottery allocations, especially non-regulated areas, or use special supply programs such as newlywed or first-time buyer categories if you meet the income requirements.

Korean Housing Subscription Structure

Subscription Categories | Category | Public Housing | Private Housing |

|---------|--------------|----------------|

| Required account | Savings subscription or comprehensive housing account | Comprehensive housing account |

| Developer | LH / local public corporations | Private developers |

| Pricing | Below market (price cap applies) | Market-linked |

| Selection method | 100% points-based | Points + lottery mix |

Priority Tiers ```

Tier 1 Requirements (basic):

Housing account open for 2+ years

Recognized payment count: 12+ (metro) or 6+ (non-metro)

Houseless household member (public housing) Tier 2: Applied when Tier 1 is undersubscribed

Special Supply: Separate criteria (newlyweds, first-time buyers, etc.)

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Complete Points Calculation Guide The points system has a maximum score of 84 points across three categories.

Category 1: Duration Without Home Ownership (max 32 pts) | Duration | Points |

|---------|--------|

| Under 1 year | 2 pts |

| 1–2 years | 4 pts |

| 2–3 years | 6 pts |

| 5–6 years | 12 pts |

| 10–11 years | 22 pts |

| 15+ years | 32 pts |

Category 2: Number of Dependents (max 35 pts) | Dependents | Points |

|-----------|--------|

| 0 | 5 pts |

| 1 | 10 pts |

| 2 | 15 pts |

| 3 | 20 pts |

| 4 | 25 pts |

| 5+ | 35 pts | *Dependents include: spouse, lineal ascendants (parents/grandparents), lineal descendants (children)*

Category 3: Subscription Account Tenure (max 17 pts) | Tenure | Points |

|--------|--------|

| Under 6 months | 1 pt |

| 1–2 years | 3 pts |

| 4–5 years | 8 pts |

| 10–11 years | 13 pts |

| 15+ years | 17 pts |

Score Calculation Examples ```

Single, 35 years old, houseless 5 years, account open 5 years: → Houseless (5–6 years): 12 pts → Dependents (0): 5 pts → Account (5–6 years): 9 pts → Total: 26 pts (virtually no chance in Seoul) Couple with 1 child, 45 years old, houseless 12 years, account 12 years: → Houseless (12–13 years): 26 pts → Dependents (2: spouse + 1 child): 15 pts → Account (12–13 years): 15 pts → Total: 56 pts (possible in outer metro, difficult in Seoul core)

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2026 Minimum Winning Scores by Region | Area | Typical Minimum Winning Score | Notes |

|------|------------------------------|-------|

| Gangnam/Seocho/Songpa/Gangdong | 70–84 pts | Effectively needs 15+ houseless years |

| Mapo/Yongsan/Seongdong | 65–75 pts | |

| Nowon/Dobong/Gangbuk | 55–65 pts | |

| Seongnam/Gwacheon/Hanam | 55–70 pts | Seoul-level competition |

| Greater Gyeonggi | 40–55 pts | |

| Outer metro/provincial | 30–45 pts | Lottery allocation also applies | ---

Lottery Strategy

Lottery Allocation Ratios by Zone | Zone | Points-Based | Lottery |

|------|------------|---------|

| Speculation overheated zone, >85㎡ | 50% | 50% |

| Speculation overheated zone, ≤85㎡ | 100% | 0% |

| Subscription overheated zone, ≤85㎡ | 75% | 25% |

| Non-regulated area | 40% | 60% | **Lottery Strategies:** ```

① Target non-regulated areas with planned transport improvements

② Apply for large units (>85㎡) even in overheated zones — 50% lottery

③ Those in their 30s with low points: focus on non-regulated areas where lottery makes up 60% of supply

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Special Supply Complete Guide

Special Supply Types Comparison | Type | Key Qualification | Allocation | Notes |

|------|-----------------|-----------|-------|

| **Newlywed** | Married within 7 years, income limits | Public 30% / Private 20% | Children prioritized |

| **First-time buyer** | Never owned a home, income limits | Public 25% / Private 15% | Account required |

| **Large family** | 2+ minor children | Public 10% / Private 10% | More children = more points |

| **Senior parent care** | Living with 65+ parent for 3+ years | Public 5% / Private 3% | Income limits apply |

| **Institution referral** | Veterans, disabled persons, etc. | Public 10% | Separate eligibility |

Newlywed Income Limits (2026) ```

Public housing: Dual income: ≤130% of urban worker average monthly income Single income: ≤100% Private housing: Priority supply (70%): ≤130% income + asset criteria General supply (30%): ≤140% income 2026 reference for 3-person household: 100% baseline: ~KRW 6.28M/month 130% (dual income threshold): ~KRW 8.17M/month

```

First-Time Buyer Key Requirements ```

① All household members must never have owned a home

② Income: ≤130% of urban worker average monthly income

③ Must meet Tier 1 subscription account requirements

④ Currently employed or self-employed

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Practical Tips to Improve Winning Chances ```

1. Check the competition count before applying 2. Monitor Cheongnyak Home (applyhome.co.kr) for new listings as soon as announcements are posted

3. Apply for less popular unit types/floors within the same building

4. Never close your housing account — reopening resets your tenure score

5. Adding parents to your household can add +20–25 points (direct ascendants)

6. Check special supply eligibility — you can apply for both special and general supply in the same draw (two chances at once)

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FAQ **Q1. Does increasing my monthly housing account deposit raise my score?** A. No. The points system counts payment frequency and account tenure, not the amount deposited. Maintain consistent small payments (KRW 20,000–100,000/month). For public housing, first confirm that you meet the minimum recognized payment count (12 in metro, 6 in non-metro). **Q2. Can I count my parents as dependents if I register them in my household?** A. Yes. Lineal ascendants (parents/grandparents), including your spouse's parents, qualify if they have been registered at the same address for 1+ year. Each qualifying parent adds +5 points to your dependents category. **Q3. What happens if I win but cancel the contract?** A. Canceling after winning triggers a subscription restriction period of 1–10 years, depending on the zone. In a speculation overheated zone, the restriction can last up to 10 years. **Q4. If I win the lottery in an overheated zone, is there a mandatory residency requirement?** A. Yes. Units subject to the price cap often require 2–5 years of owner-occupancy. Violations can result in mandatory sale and clawback. **Q5. I'm already Tier 1 but keep losing. What should I do?** A. Competition for popular Seoul units is intense. More realistic alternatives include targeting non-regulated areas with high lottery ratios or using special supply programs if eligible. The fastest way to raise your score is to add parents to your household. **Q6. Can I sell my subscription rights before moving in?** A. Subscription right transfer restrictions vary by zone. In speculation overheated zones, transfers are prohibited until title registration, effectively until move-in. In non-regulated areas, transfer may be possible 6–12 months after winning. **Q7. I currently have no home but owned one previously — can I apply for first-time buyer special supply?** A. No. If any household member has ever owned a home, the entire household is disqualified from first-time buyer special supply. The rule requires that no one in the household has ever held residential property ownership. **Q8. Do I need a housing account for non-regulated area subscriptions?** A. Yes. A comprehensive housing account is required for all subscriptions. Non-regulated areas have more lenient tenure and payment requirements, but the account itself is mandatory.