To create a source of additional income, some people have been illegally remodeling apartment units by creating separate living spaces for other tenants. This deceptive practice has mostly been limited to studio apartments, but it seems it is now being done in larger rentals. Joseph Kim has more.

This is a rental apartment complex in the Seogwipo Innovation City.
There will be 716 apartment units including floorplans of 84, 142 and 148 meters squared.


In the case of 142-square-meter apartment units, there is another door next to the entrance.

In other words, there are two front doors. The builder said that it can be used as a separate space for those who live with their parents.

SYNC
Apartment representative
Those who live with their in-laws or with a large family can use the space separately.
"시부모님을 모시고 사는 분들이나 2세대가 살고 있는 대가족의 경우
한쪽에 따로 거주하시고 다른 쪽 18평에는 신혼부부가 거주하셔도 되고..."

And they inform tenants that after a 5 year rental period, it’s possible to add a wall between the two spaces and lease one of the spaces out.

SYNC
Apartment representative
If you are eligible to purchase the home after the lease period is over, you could actually add a wall. At first you can use the whole space but after your children leave home, you can add a wall and rent the other apartment.
분양을 받아서 진짜 내 집이 되면 막아서 쓰셔도 돼요. 요즘에는 임대를 많이 하니까 큰 평수로 쓰다가 자녀들이 출가하면 여기를 //
**수퍼체인지**
막아 임대를 하실 수도 있어요.

Partitioning part of an apartment is clearly illegal. If more people live in the apartment complex because of the partitioned space, it is obvious that there will be not enough parking spots. However, it is well known among landlords that apartment partitioning is a good way to make money.

SYNC
Real estate agent
It is actually illegal to add a wall in the apartment units. People do it without reporting it to the authorities.
"가운데 부분을 막는 자체가 불법인데 아파트의 경우 다세대이기 때문에
하나 사서 쪼개서 임대할 경우 (용도변경 없이) 그대로 해야 해요.//
**수퍼체인지**
신고하지 말고 다 그렇게 해요."

The reasons for the rise in partitioned apartments has been attributed to a recent surge in housing costs.

[REPORTER]
Joseph Kim

With approximately 200 illegal construction projects disclosed annually, some are pointing out that a practice that was once limited to studio apartments is now affecting single and multi-family apartments as well.

Joseph Kim KCTV