Job Discussion Forums

[kimo50]

Lately whenever something in my apartment needs repair or or an appliance breaks the school wants to charge me to repair it. Like toilet problem, washer problem etc. Anyone have a similar experience?

[johntpartee]

No; there's something in the standard SAFEA contract about that.

[choudoufu]

are you living on the school campus or in off-post housing?
if outside, did the school 'help' you rent an apartment?
is the lease in your name?

[kimo50]

the apartment is off campus and in the school's name.

[WLamar]

[Banner41]

Most of the time the appliances/furniture provided are already broken down. Unless they gave them to you new, they should fix/replace them. Your contact should have things that are provided to you.

[roadwalker]

I replace my own light bulbs when they are small and easily reached and other small things like shower heads, even if I really think it should come out of the school's budget. I just don't think it's worth the time to wait for someone to come and do something relatively cheap that I am capable of (it's a small list of tasks/repairs I'm capable of.) On the other hand, there is no way I would pay for fixtures that I didn't intentionally destroy. That's for the landlord to pay, and I'd consider it a breach of contract if they delayed on repairing or replacing a toilet. Check your contract.

[doogsville]

In privately rented apartments, it seems to be standard practice for the tenant to pay for any repairs. It's the complete opposite in the UK, where the landlord pays. The first time it happened to me I almost had a fit, but if I hadn't paid then the thing wouldn't have been fixed. I've been in that situation in both school provided housing and privately rented. I've had three contracts, and none of them have ever said anything about who is liable for repairs, only that the school would provide housing and sometimes what would be in it. I've always paid for repairs. I don't like it, but I've never been in a situation where it was a breach of the employers contractual commitment, and I've never been willing to quit a job at short notice as a result. Again, I'm not saying it's right, I don't think it is, but that's been my experience so far.

[dean_a_jones]

You should request a housing contract as as addendum to your teaching contract if you are going to live in this kind of housing. It should specify who pays for what under what circumstances (i.e. for wear and tear and general repairs, them--for damage caused by misuse or abuse, you). Most of the stuff in apartments here is crap--I have yet to move into an apartment that didn't need repairs, particularly on leaking pipes in the bathroom/kitchen. To save a few RMB things are often not actually fixed, just 'repaired' (patched up, usually poorly). You need a clear contract as over the course of a year it is likely that a few things will need repairing/replacing.

Usually they provide you with white goods--if you are asked to replace something like this, I would tell them you plan on selling it when you leave to recoup costs.

Unfortunately it is probably a bit late to do much in terms of contracts. Also, be careful if the FAO is arranging the person to fix things if you are paying--they may be working together to rip you off.

[Javelin of Radiance]

[Non Sequitur]

Certainly is the land of zero maintenance.

[kimo50]

The words preventative maintenance dont exist in China. I mentioned a maintenance schedule and I was laughed at!