The Effects of Tenant Assets and Residential Preferences on the Choice between Chonsei and Monthly Rent

This study aims to analyze the impact of tenants` limited assets on their choice between Chonsei and Monthly Rent. Additionally, an empirical study of tenants` diverse housing preference factors (residential/ housing location) was conducted. This study confirms that asset availability affects tenants` choice of Chonsei or Monthly Rent, but their choices differ depending on the amount of assets available. The variable, total assets, exerted the most significant positive (+) influence in favor of Chonsei, whereas current assets and consumption expenditures exerted negative (-) influences against Chonsei. In addition, the housing preference variable was found to exert a partial influence on the choice between chonsei (full deposit upfront) and rental housing. Tenants choosing Chonsei arrangements emphasize proximity to workplace, residential environment, and apt. building characteristics, whereas those choosing monthly rental arrangements emphasize neighborhood convenience and amenities, safety, environmental factors, as well as built-in home amenities. This study confirms that asset-related factors such as current assets and consumption expenditures do exert a statistically significant influence on consumers` choice between chonsei and monthly-rental housing arrangements.