Why Your Korean Apartment Lottery Score Is Lower Than You Think

Your Housing Lottery Score Might Be Lower Than You Think — Here’s Why

If you’ve ever run the numbers on Korea’s apartment subscription lottery (청약, cheong-yak) and come away deflated, you’re in good company. The system maxes out at 84 points, but most applicants land somewhere between 30 and 50 — often without understanding exactly where they’re losing ground. Knowing the mechanics won’t conjure points out of thin air, but it can stop you from leaving legitimate points on the table, and it helps you aim at the right market.

The points-based system (가점제) applies to the general supply of private-sector apartments with a dedicated area of 85㎡ or less. It ranks applicants by a cumulative score rather than a lottery draw, rewarding time — time spent without a home, time with dependents, and time holding a subscription account.

The Three-Part Scoring Structure

All 84 points come from exactly three inputs:

The dependent count (35 points) carries the most weight — more than the homeless period and the account age combined. A single applicant with no dependents starts at just 5 points in this category regardless of anything else they do, while a family of four with resident parents can reach 25–30 points here alone. That structural gap explains why many childless renters find their scores stuck in the 30s even after years of waiting.

Scoring Breakdown by Category

① Homeless Period — up to 32 points

Two points for the first year, then two more for each additional full year, capping at 32 points for 15 or more years.

The start date is your 30th birthday by default. If you married before turning 30, it shifts back to your registration date for marriage — whichever comes first. Conversely, unmarried applicants under 30 receive zero points here, because no start date has been triggered yet. This is one of the most frequently misunderstood rules in the system.

Past home ownership resets the clock. If you sold a home, your homeless period begins from the disposal date, not from when you turned 30. Check your ownership history at the Korea Real Estate Agency (한국부동산원) to make sure.

② Number of Dependents — up to 35 points

Five points per dependent (household members registered in your address certificate, excluding yourself), with a floor of 5 points for zero dependents.

Spouses count even if they live at a different address. Parents count if they have been registered at your address for at least three consecutive years before the application date — a rule designed to prevent last-minute transfers. Grandparents who meet the same residency requirement can also qualify. If a parent recently moved in with you, start the three-year clock now.

③ Subscription Account Age — up to 17 points

One point for the first six months, then one additional point per year, reaching 17 points at 15 years or more.

This is the only category that grows automatically — you don’t need to do anything except not close the account. Open one as early as possible; eligible age starts at 19. If you have children, opening an account for them now is one of the few genuinely time-sensitive moves in housing planning.

Score Simulation: Two Real-World Scenarios

Scenario A — Age 35, Married with Two Children

• Homeless period: Married at 30, 5 years counted → 12 pts
• Dependents: Spouse + 2 children = 3 dependents → 20 pts
• Account age: Opened at 25, now 10 years → 12 pts
• Total: 44 points

Scenario B — Age 42, Both Parents Registered (6+ years)

• Homeless period: 12 years → 26 pts
• Dependents: Spouse + 1 child + 2 parents = 4 dependents → 25 pts
• Account age: 15+ years → 17 pts
• Total: 68 points

A 24-point gap between two applicants in their 40s. The difference comes almost entirely from the dependent and homeless-period categories, not from anything the 35-year-old did wrong.

Where Can Each Score Actually Win?

Cutoff scores vary widely by district and unit type. As a general reference based on early 2026 results (source: aggregated subscription outcomes via APPLY HOME, applyhome.co.kr, July 2026):

These are ranges, not guarantees. A high-profile project in Nowon can cut at 60; a less competitive unit in Seocho can clear at 65. Use APPLY HOME’s historical results lookup to check the actual cutoff for any specific complex you’re considering.

One strategic note: units larger than 85㎡ in private-sector housing go entirely to a lottery draw with no points involved. If your score is below 50, a well-located but larger-format apartment via the lottery might be a more realistic path than grinding a points-based competition you’re unlikely to win today.

A Quick Checklist Before You Apply

1. Verify your subscription account’s original open date — log in to APPLY HOME (applyhome.co.kr) under “My Subscription Account.” Many people underestimate how long they’ve held one.
2. Confirm dependents on your address certificate — check that everyone who qualifies is registered, and verify parent residency duration.
3. Trace your homeless-period start date — past ownership you’ve forgotten counts. The Korea Real Estate Agency (한국부동산원, reb.or.kr) lets you pull your full ownership history.
4. Don’t overpay into the account for points — monthly deposits do not affect the points-based score. Higher deposits matter for public housing (LH/SH) selection, where the recognized monthly deposit ceiling rose from ₩100,000 to ₩250,000 in November 2024 (source: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, September 2024).

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice or a recommendation to apply for any specific housing development. Subscription rules and scoring criteria are subject to change. Always verify current details at APPLY HOME (applyhome.co.kr) or the official Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (molit.go.kr). Figures reflect conditions as of July 2026.