If you need tools briefly for home repairs, look into Seoul's household tool lending services. Eligibility can depend on where you work as well as where you live. Even a free loan may require a separate deposit.
If this is you, go here
Pick your situation and jump to that place. 5 places.
- You work at a workplace in Gangnam-guGangnam-gu Tool Lending Centers
- You live in Dongjak-gu and want a loan you can extendDongjak-gu Community Center Tool Lending
- You live in Seocho-gu and need tools for home useJamwon-dong Tool Bank
- You live in Seodaemun-gu and want to choose from neighborhood inventoriesSeodaemun-gu Community Center Household Tool Lending Centers
- You need a hammer or adjustable wrench in Sageun-dongSageun-dong Public Complex Tool Lending Center
At a glance
- When borrowing tools in Seoul, check eligibility based on both where you live and where you work. Gangnam-gu also accepts people who work in the district.
- Free loans and deposits are separate. Jamwon-dong charges no rental fee but specifies a separate ₩10,000 deposit.
- Dongjak-gu and Jamwon-dong allow one extension. Sageun-dong takes applications in person on the building's first floor; in Seodaemun-gu, check each neighborhood's tool inventory.
When you need tools to put up a shelf or repair furniture, consider borrowing from a community center before buying. Eligibility and return deadlines vary by district. Along with proximity to home, consider whether you can collect and return the tools on weekdays.
Even when there is no rental fee, check the deposit and your responsibility for loss or damage separately. Distinguishing the money you need when borrowing from any liability during use helps you understand what “free” covers.
01Best when You work at a workplace in Gangnam-gu
Gangnam-gu Tool Lending Centers (강남구 공구대여소)
- Five Score
- 4.5People employed at workplaces within the district are also eligible
- Location
- Neighborhood community centers, Gangnam-gu
- Price
- Tool loans are free
- Keywords
- Gangnam-gu Tool Lending Centers, Seoul household tools, people working in the district, 3 days free, ID
- Tags
People who commute to work in Gangnam can borrow household tools too. Gangnam-gu Tool Lending Centers serve district residents and people employed at workplaces in Gangnam-gu. If you live in another district but work in Gangnam-gu, you are eligible.
The loan inventory includes power drills, heavy-duty cutters, saws and ladders. Loans are free for 3 days, making this worth considering for a short home repair project. Separate tool lists for each neighborhood are available on Gongyu Nuri.
- Hours
- Weekdays 09:00–18:00
- Watch out
- Collection and return visits must be during weekday working hours
02Best when You live in Dongjak-gu and want a loan you can extend
Dongjak-gu Community Center Tool Lending (동작구 동주민센터 공구대여)
- Five Score
- 4.0Loans for 2 nights and 3 days; one extension
- Location
- 15 neighborhood community centers, Dongjak-gu
- Keywords
- Dongjak-gu Community Center Tool Lending, Seoul household tools, Dongjak-gu residents, one extension, ID
- Tags
If your project might take longer, consider Dongjak-gu's tool lending service, which allows an extension. It operates at 15 neighborhood community centers for Dongjak-gu residents. The standard loan period is 2 nights and 3 days, with one extension allowed.
The guidance lists both in-person visits and telephone reservations. You need ID when applying in person. Visits must fit weekday working hours, so include collection and return trips in your home repair schedule.
- Hours
- Weekdays 09:00–18:00
- Watch out
- Eligibility is limited to Dongjak-gu residents
03Best when You live in Seocho-gu and need tools for home use
Jamwon-dong Tool Bank (잠원동 공구은행)
- Five Score
- 4.0For residents aged 20 or older living in Seocho-gu
- Location
- Jamwon-dong Community Center, Seocho-gu
- Phone
- 02-2155-7532
- Price
- Free loans; ₩10,000 deposit
- Keywords
- Jamwon-dong Tool Bank, Seoul household tools, tools for home use, separate deposit, one extension
- Tags
Jamwon-dong Tool Bank lists free loans and a ₩10,000 deposit separately. Residents aged 20 or older living in Seocho-gu are eligible. It lends household tools such as power drills for use in the applicant's home, making it suitable for residents preparing for home repairs.
The standard loan period is 3 days, with one extension allowed. Bring ID and complete an application at Jamwon-dong Community Center. The service operates Monday–Friday, excluding public holidays, so you may need to adjust your schedule if you can only visit the center on days off.
- Hours
- Monday–Friday, excluding public holidays
- Watch out
- For residents aged 20 or older living in Seocho-gu; tools must be used in the applicant's home
04Best when You live in Seodaemun-gu and want to choose from neighborhood inventories
Seodaemun-gu Community Center Household Tool Lending Centers (서대문구 동주민센터 생활공구 대여소)
- Five Score
- 4.0Available tools vary by neighborhood
- Location
- 14 neighborhood community centers, Seodaemun-gu
- Price
- Tool loans are free
- Keywords
- Seodaemun-gu Community Center Household Tool Lending Centers, Seoul household tools, household tools, neighborhood inventories, free loans
- Tags
Seodaemun-gu's household tool lending service operates at 14 neighborhood community centers. Tool loans are listed as free. It is worth considering for Seodaemun-gu residents looking to borrow tools from a nearby community center.
The April 2025 district newsletter specified free 2-day loans with a 1-day extension for district residents aged 19 or older. It listed power drills, ladders and caulking guns, among other tools. It also noted that available tools vary by neighborhood. Neighborhood inventories help you choose a community center that has what you need.
- Hours
- Weekdays 09:00–18:00 (April 2025 guidance)
- Watch out
- For Seodaemun-gu residents aged 19 or older, according to April 2025 guidance
05Best when You need a hammer or adjustable wrench in Sageun-dong
Sageun-dong Public Complex Tool Lending Center (사근동 공공복합청사 공구대여소)
- Five Score
- 3.5Borrow hammers, cutters and adjustable wrenches in person
- Location
- 1st floor, Sageun-dong Public Complex
- Phone
- 02-2286-7268
- Keywords
- Sageun-dong Public Complex Tool Lending Center, Seoul household tools, building's first floor, ID, weekday visits
- Tags
If you need a hammer or an adjustable wrench, check the inventory at Sageun-dong Public Complex Tool Lending Center. You can borrow tools on the building's first floor in Sageun-dong, Seongdong-gu. The official guide to everyday services lists hammers, cutters and adjustable wrenches as loan items.
Bring ID and visit on a weekday between 09:00 and 18:00. Applications are taken on the first floor, making the collection point easy to find once you have decided which tools you need.
- Hours
- Weekdays 09:00–18:00
- Watch out
- Visits to the building must be during weekday service hours
Seoul's 5 tool lending services at a glance
- 1Gangnam-gu Tool Lending CentersYou work at a workplace in Gangnam-gu3 days free; weekday collection and return4.5
- 2Dongjak-gu Community Center Tool LendingYou live in Dongjak-gu and want a loan you can extend2 nights and 3 days; one extension; bring ID4.0
- 3Jamwon-dong Tool BankYou live in Seocho-gu and need tools for home useAge 20 or older; 3 days free; ₩10,000 deposit4.0
- 4Seodaemun-gu Community Center Household Tool Lending CentersYou live in Seodaemun-gu and want to choose from neighborhood inventoriesApril 2025 guidance: age 19 or older; 2 days free; 1-day extension4.0
- 5Sageun-dong Public Complex Tool Lending CenterYou need a hammer or adjustable wrench in Sageun-dongVisit the building's first floor; weekdays 09:00–18:003.5
Choosing in more detail
- If you live and work in different districts — Gangnam-gu Tool Lending Centers. Eligibility based on your workplace is useful: people employed at workplaces within the district can also apply.
- If you want more time for a project in Dongjak-gu — Dongjak-gu Community Center Tool Lending. Check the extension rules: you can extend once if the standard period is not enough.
- If you want to know how much money to prepare before borrowing — Jamwon-dong Tool Bank. Rental fees and deposits are listed separately, so prepare the deposit independently of any tool-use fee.
- If you know exactly which tool you need — Seodaemun-gu Community Center Household Tool Lending Centers. Choose a center using the neighborhood inventories. Available tools differ even within the same district.
- If you plan to collect tools at the Sageun-dong building — Sageun-dong Public Complex Tool Lending Center. Go to the first floor, where the lending center is located. Bring ID and plan a weekday visit.
Ask before you go
- 1What if my Gangnam-gu tool return date falls on a weekend or public holiday?
Gangnam-gu's guidance says that if the return date after a 3-day loan falls on a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday, the tools should be returned the following day. When collecting your tools, add the return date to your schedule too.
- 2What happens if I lose or damage tools borrowed from Jamwon-dong?
Jamwon-dong's guidance requires you to return an identical item if you lose a tool. You are liable for compensation if you damage it through negligence. The guidance also asks borrowers to familiarize themselves with the instructions before using the tools.
- 3When is the condition of the tools checked?
Gangnam-gu asks borrowers to check items for faults before borrowing. Seodaemun-gu's April 2025 newsletter specified a tool condition check and an entry in the register at the return stage. Keep track of the separate procedures for collection and return.
Research notes
Research date November 4, 2026 · Sources Official guidance from Gangnam-gu, Dongjak-gu and Seocho-gu offices and Sageun-dong in Seongdong-gu; Seodaemun-gu's departmental review of participatory budgeting proposals and April 2025 district newsletter · Subject to change Hours, borrowing conditions and tool inventories Five Score A relative assessment based on eligibility, how clearly borrowing conditions are specified, hours and confirmed restrictions. Not a direct assessment of service quality or a user rating.
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