Korean Job Discussion Forums

[0ju]

Ever since I moved in, mine has been visiting my apartment about once per week during the day when I'm not home.

None of my stuff is missing or disturbed, except for some of the furniture next to the appliances, so I'm hoping these visits are maintenance-related and he's just too much of a dolt to give me any notice.

But who knows, he could be a pervert that likes to come in and sniff my dirty underwear while I'm gone.

Anyways, is this sort of thing common? The landlord just dropping by unannounced, I mean--not the panty sniffing...

[Xuanzang]

Change your locks.

[Chambertin]

I wont defend what they do, but Koreans are appliance paranoid.
Add to that the fact they may not have proper insurance, may not have good electrical wiring, +++
In addition many foreigners are looked at as being below an infant in mental ability (thanks old timers just yelling louder in English). Partially for the neverending parent mentality, partially because it IS a foreign county and things are different, and partially because of preconceptions about foreigners.

So it is possible that they are just checking things out of concern.
However I dont care where you live, thats just Odd. Once every couple months for the paranoid landlord maybe... Even thats a stretch to me.
I didnt like the gas lady coming by every 3 months and I had to let her in.

Ask your employer if there are any "inspections" for your building. Judge the reaction and if it doesnt go away just pay 30,000 won and get a new set of locks.

Maybe too much, but creepy is creepy. I never had anyone enter my apartment without them at least telling me even if they owned it.
"Oh yeah we picked up those chairs off the balcony today, sorry for not telling you." was the worst I heard, and I was happy to have the last of Hagwon storage gone after I moved in.

[Jake_Kim]

Change your lock now and do not submit your new spare key to the landlord.

That happens to Korean occupants as well, yet it is ILLEGAL, period. It constitutes an unlawful entry under Article 319 of Criminal Act, punishable by no more than 3 years in jail or by a fine no larger than 5 mil. Won, although the evidence might be too circumstantial in your case to sue his ass.

Even if it's for a maintenance purpose or an inspection that is agreed upon by the contract, the landlord still must seek permission from the occupant unless the occupancy itself is unlawful.

[nw25th]

your "landlord" or "boss?"

[0ju]

[SeoulFinn]

Change the locks. At least set up a well hidden "IP camera" or "nanny cam" in your place. At least I'd like to know what's happening in my home while I'm not there!

[Troglodyte]

I think that I too would just change the locks. I make a point of doing it whenever I move into a new apartment, in any country.

If you do, don't go for the cheapest you can find. Get a decent one. If you work regular hours and live alone, then that alone makes you a more likely candidate for theft. If you also have the cheapest lock on the block (or in the building) then that also raises the chances that a theif will choose your apartment to break into.

Remember as well, you can take the lock with you when you leave. Just put the original back on before moving out.

[sirius black]

Why be passive aggressive about it. Tell him not to AND change the locks. If he doesn't speak Korean have someone that does tell him or write you a note you can give to him. Maybe your boss. He/She has a vested interest in your feeling safe and happy.

[fortysixyou]

I got one of those keypad locks installed. It's awesome. I love it.

You should too. Then nobody can get into your apartment, unless you give them the code. Then you can change the code later. Booya!

Keep your eyes out for a lock shop near your apartment. Pick out a model, tell them where you live, and they'll send a dude over. It's simple.

[cdninkorea]

[juliajohansen]

My landlords, THANKFULLY, do not come into my apartment. They're freaked out by my cat

[kardisa]

[wormholes101]

you open the casing, press a small button which will probably have the words "비밀..." and then enter a new password. you may have to push the # button after.

[0ju]

i've noticed that my fridge has stopped making its odd hampster noises late at night, so i'm gonna assume that the last visit was legit. however if this keeps happening i'll definitely look into getting a lock (or a cat )