Korean Job Discussion Forums

[chaz47]

It always seems like my landlord is trying to squeeze us for something. No matter what I do my utilities are never less than 150,000. I could be out of the apartment the whole month and the bill never drops below that. Whenever something breaks they're supposed to cover the charges from the utility bill that I pay every month but still they try to sneak it past me.

And, now they want to raise the rent 20,000. Apparently they are unable to explain why as well. It seems (so far) that only the foreign tenants have been informed of this raise in rent. One would think a raise in rent would be posted visibly in the elevators alongside the other notices about rising water costs and how garbage bags are no longer free. But, no, no notice of this rental increase whatsoever. Mind you my Korean's far from perfect but there have been no new notices posted and I understand the jist of the current ones.

So, what gives? Is anybody else experiencing this from their landlords? I mean, it's not as if the buildings value is going up? Is that a possibility? If anything it should be going down as it ages (and it's already a bit old with mold and peeling wallpaper). The property value might increase but...

[matthews_world]

I'd say you're in an officetel.

You mention two common practices regarding officetels:
~Utilities
~Rent

You could always shop around for another place.

If you're not in an officetel, and especially if you are unlucky or your building manager doesn't want you there or like you, perhaps he bypasses the building utilities through your breakers and meters and you are paying for them. I've heard it happen on this board recently.

Have a Korean friend or co-worker call the manager about your rent situation and then have them contact the utility companies.

I've lived in 1 officetel in my time here and hated the high utility bills. Seems like I pay half due to my low usage and conservation in regular one-rooms.

[victorology]

I don't think it's common for rent increases to be posted in common areas in Korea or where I'm from. Does the landlord own the whole building? If you're in an officetel, then your landlord probably doesn't. If you're in a one room villa, then 150,000 per month for utilities is high unless it is all inclusive (cable tv, internet, gas, water, electricity).

Did you sign the contract directly with the landlord? If so, then your landlord can't raise the rent in the middle of your contract.