MoneyLog｜부동산·경제 인사이트

🇰🇷 한국어

1. 압류된 집, 왜 늘고 있을까?
2. 등기부 ‘압류’의 정확한 의미
3. 압류된 부동산을 계약할 때 위험 요소
4. 계약 전 반드시 확인해야 할 등기부 체크포인트
5. 압류 해제는 언제, 어떻게 가능할까?
6. 실제 사례로 보는 압류물건 거래
7. 정리 및 마무리

🇺🇸 English

1. Why Are Seized Properties Increasing?
2. What “Seizure” Means on the Registry
3. Risks of Buying or Leasing a Seized Property
4. Key Registry Points to Check Before Contract
5. When and How Can Seizure Be Lifted?
6. Real Case Examples of Seized Property Deals
7. Summary & Final Thoughts

Imagine this: the property registry looked perfectly clean just a few days ago, but on the very day of signing the contract, you find the word “Seizure” stamped across it. That’s exactly what happened in one of my recent real estate cases.

There was no issue during the preliminary review, yet when we checked again on contract day, the seizure entry had appeared overnight. It wasn’t even a large amount, but the buyer hesitated— “If the owner can’t even pay this little, isn’t their financial situation unstable?” The deal eventually fell through.

With the economy tightening, such cases are becoming more common. So in today’s post, let’s break down what a **“seizure on the registry”** really means, why it happens, and whether it’s safe to proceed with the deal.

If you’ve ever wondered, “Should I still buy this house?”— this guide will give you a clear answer.

When a property’s title registry shows the word “Seizure”, it means the owner’s right to freely dispose of the property has already been **legally restricted**.

Unlike a warning or a pending dispute, a seizure is a **confirmed enforcement action** taken by a public authority such as the court or tax office to secure a creditor’s claim.

Depending on who initiated it, seizure types include:
- **National Tax Seizure**: for unpaid income tax, VAT, or property tax. - **Local Tax Seizure**: for unpaid local taxes like acquisition or vehicle tax. - **Court Seizure**: resulting from a civil judgment enforcing private debt.

Once registered, the owner cannot legally transfer, gift, or lease the property until the debt is settled and the seizure is officially lifted. That’s why a “seizure” mark on the title is a major red flag in any transaction.

Even if a property with a “Seizure” mark can technically be sold, it’s considered a **high-risk transaction** for both buyers and tenants.

🔹 **1. Ownership transfer is blocked** until the seizure is lifted. A conditional clause must state that if the seizure remains by settlement day, the contract is void.

🔹 **2. No deposit insurance** — HUG and SGI will reject applications if any seizure is recorded.

🔹 **3. Financial warning sign** — even a small unpaid tax may indicate the owner’s liquidity issues.

🔹 **4. Overlapping claims** — seizures often come on top of existing mortgages or provisional attachments, making auction distributions risky.

🔹 **5. Always re-check the title on payment day.** Registries update daily; a clean record a week ago doesn’t guarantee safety today.

📎 Tip: Never rely solely on the seller’s promise to “remove it soon.” Without an official release certificate by closing day, do not proceed with the transfer.

Checking the registry once isn’t enough — it only reflects a moment in time.

✅ **1. Issue the registry twice** — once before deposit, once on contract day. If “Seizure,” “Provisional Attachment,” or “Auction Start” appears, stop immediately.

✅ **2. Review both sections:** - Gap-gu: Ownership changes, seizures. - Eul-gu: Mortgages, lease rights.

✅ **3. Watch for warning messages** like “The registry is currently being updated.” Wait and reissue after the update.

✅ **4. Check tax payment certificates** — unpaid national or local taxes often trigger future seizures.

📎 Tip: Request the seller’s national and local tax clearance from Hometax and Wetax for full safety.

A seizure mark isn’t permanent — once the cause (unpaid tax or debt) is cleared, it can be removed from the registry.

**Process overview:** 1️⃣ Pay the debt → 2️⃣ File release request → 3️⃣ Authority notifies registry → 4️⃣ Registry updates record.

🕒 **Processing time:** Usually 2–3 days for tax-related seizures, up to a week for court-issued ones.

✅ **Check for release entry:** The registry will later show: “Seizure released by XX Tax Office (Date/Doc No.)”

Until that entry appears, the property is still legally seized — so never rely on verbal assurances alone.

Case 1 – Deal Canceled Due to Delayed Release
A buyer found a tax seizure added just before settlement. The seller promised it would be lifted soon, but by closing day the registry still showed “Seizure.” The buyer canceled under the clause stating the contract becomes void if the seizure remains — the court ruled the cancellation valid.

Case 2 – Successful Transaction After Release
A property had a local tax seizure, but the buyer signed a contract stating payment would occur only after the release was confirmed. Three days after the seller paid, the registry updated and the sale was safely completed.

💡 Lesson: Seized properties aren’t always unsafe — they just require strict verification and clearly written conditions.

A “Seizure” mark on the registry isn’t just a line of text — it’s a legal signal that a creditor has already enforced their right.

To stay safe:
1️⃣ Check the registry twice (before and on contract day).
2️⃣ Request tax clearance certificates.
3️⃣ Release confirmation before final payment.

In today’s uncertain economy, property records can change overnight. Always verify the latest title right before settlement, and never rely on promises that “it’ll be lifted soon.”

Even seized properties can be transacted safely when the process is managed properly.
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