My landlord in Seongsu is refusing to return my full deposit, claiming deductions for repairs I never agreed to. I have the move-in photos and the contract clause says normal wear is on them, but they're pushing back hard. Has anyone actually taken this to the housing dispute mediation committee, and was it worth it?

Check whether your contract was 갱신된 under 묵시적 갱신, because the 2-year protection and deposit return timing differ. Also pull your 확정일자 from the 주민센터; it decides priority if they have other debts. Honestly for Seongsu amounts, a lawyer's 내용증명 letter often moves them faster than mediation.

Gwangjin-gu office handles Seongsu cases, not Seongdong.

the 주택임대차분쟁조정위원회 is free & faster than court, but file with the 임대차보증금 반환 신청 at your 주민센터 first to get it on record

before u escalate, request the 집주인's repair receipts directly. he has to show actual invoices, not estimates, for any deduction he claims. most cave once u ask in writing

Landlord can't just deduct whatever, he has to prove the repair was needed & the cost. Get a 견적서 from a licensed 업체 for the disputed items so u have a counter number, not just ur photos. that paper shuts them up fast