Korean Job Discussion Forums

davester13 · Joined: 07 Nov 2005

In preparation for hotter temperatures, I recently checked out my air-conditioner, and I discovered the remote control of the unit doesn't work. (Technically, the remote displays numbers----it seems to be working---- but apparently the unit is not receiving the signals it emits). I can turn the unit on manually, but many functions, such as controlling the temperature, can only be accessed through the remote.

Anyway, I mentioned all of this to my school's manager, and he asked me whether everything was working at the end of last summer when I first arrived. I said it did, but now it doesn't-----perhaps due to seven months of inactivity? My manager proceeded to tell me he'd ask the apartment building supervisor about it, stating indirectly that if the unit was working then, but not now, the supervisor would likely refuse to pay for it. My manager was implying that the school wouldn't pay for it either. By the way, soon after our conversation, I discovered that another teacher at my school had to pay for a broken toilet, costing her about $300.

My question is simply, Who should pay for the repair of my air-conditioner? It would seem I would have my answer after having learned what I did about my co-worker's experience with her toilet, but I would like your opinion, just in case I might have some recourse to resolve this adequately. As long as I wasn't negligent (I wasn't), shouldn't the landlord or at least the school pay for such repairs? You should know that this issue is not addressed in my contract. I don't want to nitpick over a potentially minor situation, but it could get expensive. Perhaps tenant-landlord responsibilities are different here in Korea than back home----I don't know. Thanks for your help.

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

Last summer my A/C wouldn't work after 8 months of inactivity. I told my school, they sent someone from the admin office to check it out, and then they called the repairman. I don't know what it cost because I didn't pay a cent. Neither should you.

SuperHero · Joined: 10 Dec 2003 Location: Superhero Hideout

In Korea landlords are not responsible for repairs - the tenant takes care of it. You need to work this out with your school.

kigolo1881 · Joined: 30 Jul 2006

If the AC was not working when you moved in then you have a valid point, however it stopped working after you've been living there for a few months, then the landlord/school arent really responsible anymore.

Anywhere else in the world, the tenant is resposible for their things in the apt. This is a situation in which it pays off to be nice to your school or have a good relationship.

You can claim that it suddenly 'stopped' working, but what "IF" you broke it and just twisted your words? I'm not accusing you of anything, but it's time to be an adult and take some responsibility. As you can see, there are always two sides of the story.

hubba bubba · Joined: 24 Oct 2006

If I don't own it, I don't see why I should have to pay standard maintenance.

I mean, little things like lightbulbs, sure, but I'm not paying for a new washing machine if the old, cheap one they picked up off the street five minutes before I got to Korea busts.

spliff · Joined: 19 Jan 2004 Location: Khon Kaen, Thailand

Don't pay anything...it's you employers responsibility...it's not your air conditioner.

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

Milwaukiedave · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Location: Goseong

I'd try what Tom suggested. I tend to agree this falls under maintence. If you didn't do anything to it, then you shouldn't have to pay for it.

I have a similar but slightly different situation. We use a humidifier in our bedroom and found a bunch of mold on the wall behind the closet. The first thing I did is to tell my school AND the landlord. We asked the landlord what we should do and suggested that I just remove the wallpaper and clean it the best I can. She agreed to that. We are going to move out at the end of this month and as far as I'm concerned it's the landlord that needs to take care of it.

Although it's kind of off-topic, if you have mold growing on the walls make sure you get rid of it by cleaning it well. My first apartment in Seoul had a problem with mold and it made me sicker then a dog.

dogshed · Joined: 28 Apr 2006

I think the school is responsible for providing housing. If they can't get the owner to pay for repairs due to Korean tradition then that is their problem.

Having said that you have to make your own decision about how far to push the issue.

On a side note: I think I'm going to start a post on where to buy a window or portable air conditioner. I want to be able to sell it or take it with me if I leave.

-Jeff