Administrative Fines for Real Estate Transaction Reports: Written Opinion and Reduction — Responding at the Prior Notice Stage

Procedure

1. 1. Respond starting with the request for explanatory materials

   If there is doubt about the reported details, a detailed investigation is conducted and a request to submit explanatory materials follows. The materials submitted at this stage become the basis for the later decision on the administrative fine. Submitting false or inaccurate explanatory materials can itself be subject to a separate administrative fine, so submit them truthfully and with supporting evidence.

2. 2. Check the written opinion deadline in the prior notice

   Before imposing an administrative fine, the administrative agency gives prior notice and an opportunity to submit a written opinion. In practice it is a single opportunity, so set out the grounds for reduction in complete form from the start, such as how the violation occurred, the absence of intent or negligence, the fact of immediate correction, and financial hardship.

3. 3. Attach evidence for the grounds for reduction

   Assertions alone rarely lead to a reduction. Attach documents that give the administrative agency a basis for exercising its discretion, such as materials showing voluntary correction, contract and remittance records, and proof of family circumstances or receipt of welfare benefits. If you reported the violation first, also consider the reduction or exemption system for voluntary reporting.

4. 4. Choose between voluntary payment and an objection

   If you pay voluntarily within the written opinion deadline, the administrative fine is reduced in accordance with the statutes. If you file a written objection with the administrative agency that imposed the fine within 60 days from the date you receive notice of imposition, the agency's imposition loses its effect and the case moves to an administrative fine trial in court. In that case the voluntary payment reduction does not apply. First weigh whether contesting the fine is worthwhile.

Required documents

• Administrative fine opinion submission form (the form attached to the advance notice; written submission under Article 3(2) of the Enforcement Decree of the Act on the Regulation of Violations of Public Order)
• Prior notice of administrative fine, or request to submit explanatory materials
• Sale contract, transaction report details, and payment remittance records
• For a rental business operator: rental business operator registration certificate, lease contract, and materials on the circumstances of the transfer
• Evidence showing grounds for reduction, such as voluntary correction, absence of intent, or financial hardship

Fees

There is no government fee for submitting a written opinion. Preparation of a written opinion or statement of reasons starts from 150,000 won and varies with the size of the expected administrative fine and the volume of materials to review. We will tell you the exact amount after a consultation, based on the notice.

See fees and official charges for this service →

Legal basis and review date

• Act on Report on Real Estate Transactions, Etc., Article 3
• Act on Report on Real Estate Transactions, Etc., Article 28
• Special Act on Private Rental Housing, Article 67
• Act on the Regulation of Violations of Public Order, Article 16
• Act on the Regulation of Violations of Public Order, Article 18
• Act on the Regulation of Violations of Public Order, Article 20

Checked against the statutes on 2026-09-30

Statutes and public notices change, so each case needs to be checked individually. Statute titles are given in English for reference. The Korean statutes are the authoritative text.

Check these first

• Check the written opinion deadline in the prior notice first. Once it passes, the window for seeking a reduction narrows.
• False or inaccurate explanatory materials can lead to an additional administrative fine.

Frequently asked questions