[Edaily Reporter Ham Ji-Hyun ] With the start of the second semester approaching, monthly rent and maintenance fees for studio apartments in major university districts in Seoul have risen compared to last year, with the area near Seoul National University showing the sharpest increase.

On the 11th, real estate platform Davang analyzed the average monthly rent and maintenance fees for studio apartments near 10 major universities in Seoul listed in July. The results showed that the average monthly rent for a studio apartment (with a usable area of 33 square meters or less) based on a 10 million won security deposit was 625,000 won, up 7.7% from 581,000 won in the same month last year. During the same period, average maintenance fees also rose by 10.9%, from 75,000 won to 84,000 won.

Looking at the rate of increase by region, the average monthly rent in the area near Seoul National University rose 26.0%, from 423,000 won last year to 533,000 won this year. This marks the largest year-over-year increase. Next, the area near Hankuk University of Foreign Studies saw a 15.1% increase, from 582,000 won to 670,000 won, while the area near Yonsei University rose 10.4%, from 614,000 won to 678,000 won. The area near Chung-Ang University rose 9.4% from 477,000 won to 522,000 won, while the area near Hanyang University increased 9.2% from 575,000 won to 628,000 won. In contrast, the area near Sungkyunkwan University was the only one among the 10 major universities to see a decline, falling 4.5% from 576,000 won last year to 550,000 won this year.

The area near Chung-Ang University saw the largest increase in average maintenance fees. They rose 34.2%, from 76,000 won last year to 102,000 won this year. Next was the area near Seoul National University, where fees rose 16.7% from 78,000 won to 91,000 won, followed by the area near Hanyang University, where fees increased 15.7% from 70,000 won to 81,000 won. The area near Yonsei University saw a 14.3% increase, from 70,000 won to 80,000 won, while the area near Hankuk University of Foreign Studies rose by 10.4%, from 77,000 won to 85,000 won. In contrast to the overall upward trend, only the area near Sogang University saw a 3.1% decrease, from 64,000 won to 62,000 won.

The area near Ewha Womans University had the highest average monthly rent and maintenance fees. Last month, the average monthly rent in this area was 767,000 won, and the average maintenance fee was 103,000 won. This is more than 20% higher than the average for major universities in Seoul.

According to data compiled by Dabang in January ahead of the start of the first semester this year, the average monthly rent for a studio apartment in Seoul’s major university districts was 622,000 won, and the average maintenance fee was 82,000 won. Compared to July, ahead of the start of the second semester, the average monthly rent rose by 3,000 won (0.5%), and the average maintenance fee increased by 2,000 won (2.4%).

A Dabang representative stated, “Driven by growing demand for small living spaces due to the rise in single-person households, monthly rents and maintenance fees for studio apartments in university districts are showing an overall upward trend,” adding, “It is important to start looking for properties well in advance of the start of the semester—when demand peaks—and to thoroughly verify all property and landlord information before signing a lease.”