Korean Job Discussion Forums

cardigan bay · Joined: 10 Dec 2005

I work for a Public Elementary School In Gyeongi Do through the GEPIK program. About 3 months ago my gas boiler which services my hot water, ondol heating and gas stove started to break down . i.e. STOP altogether. I went for days without heating and hot water. The landlord came many times to "fix" it, then it would break down again. This process kept repeating itself. The landlord told the school "it is fixed" I told the school "it is not fixed". Since the problems began my gas bills have become huge even though I am very careful, even frugal, with the gas. I never leave the heating on at night or when I am out. I very rarely cook and I have one shower a day which is usually luke warm.
BUT my gas bills are 300,000 won a month!!!
Who should I talk to to try to explain that the boiler is still faulty. I have compared my bill with all the other tenants in the building and mine is much bigger. I live alone.
GEPIK are not interested. My school is not interested. They both say it is my problem and "the gas bill never lies". Any advice would be appreciated.

Bondrock · Joined: 08 Oct 2006 Location: ^_^

my guess is that there is a gas leak, or the boiler is so old it is burning all the time.

contact a Korean speaker and get them to call a local repair guy (not your landlord).

the cost to pay a repair man is cheap. even to replace the boiler with a good used boiler is less than 300,000 won.

KoreaninKorea · Joined: 10 Oct 2008 Location: Incheon

Tell your boss that you want your key money and rent money. It's usually 5,000,000 won for the key money and 500,000 won for rent. This way you could get your own apartment that isn't total crap. Of course, they will refuse. Most likely they will refuse because they arn't paying that much for your place. Then tell them that you're going to leave for not fulfilling thier end of your contract. Go back and forth with them a while. After they get mad, tell them that you're will go live in a better apartment. They will be willing by then to move you.

cardigan bay · Joined: 10 Dec 2005

Thanks to both of you for the advice. I have already resigned from the job and will be leaving 27th February but that means I will have about a million won to pay in gas bills before I leave and I don't think I should have to pay for all of it.

KoreaninKorea · Joined: 10 Oct 2008 Location: Incheon

Don't forget to blacklist the school. Twisted Evil

saw6436 · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Daejeon, ROK

You may also be getting gas from a private company and not a city service. Some of my mates live in 15 pyoung apartments and pay around W300,000 a month for gas from a private gas company. I live in a 32 pyoung Apartment and generally pay around W100,000 for gas during the coldest times.

Straphanger · Joined: 09 Oct 2008 Location: Chilgok, Korea

Typhoon · Joined: 29 May 2007 Location: Daejeon

You have to pay it. I understand why you wouldn't want to, but back home you would have to pay it too. Shitty landlords are everywhere. They do things as cheap as the can. You are going to have to take this as experience and know better for next time. It sucks, but that is life in Korea (for Koreans and foreigners). The less powerful get screwed every time...confusionism at its best. Better luck at the next job.

cisco kid · Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 2:59 am Post subject:

I wouldn't pay it either.

icicle · Joined: 09 Feb 2007 Location: Gyeonggi do Korea

OP said that he was working for a GEPIK school so he is not going to actually have any choice about paying for it ... The school will take it out of the 900,000 deposit before they give him the balance ...

OP ... have you talked to GEPIK admin about this ...

Straphanger · Joined: 09 Oct 2008 Location: Chilgok, Korea