Korean Job Discussion Forums

Quack Addict · Joined: 31 Mar 2008 Location: Seoul

I'm leaving my English Center next month to take a private school job. The lease on my apartment runs until the end of April. The school told me at first I would have to pay 300k penalty for breaking the lease. I said no problem.

Now they say I have to pay the rent in full (by myself) for the two months I won't be living there. They want me to pay 800k a month and said it's the "LAW" I have to pay.

I need some help on this one. Where can I check this out? Thanks.

Missihippi · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Location: Gwangmyeong

while this is probably a losing battle for you, see if you can't fill the lease on your own. I, too, had an apartment contract that was different than my work contract so when i wanted to change apartments they said no problem as long as someone else will rent the apartment, or else you will be responsible for the time between rentals -- if that makes sense. good luck

oldfatfarang · Joined: 19 May 2005 Location: On the road to somewhere.

Try the Foreigner Help Centre in Seoul.
Good luck.

Quack Addict · Joined: 31 Mar 2008 Location: Seoul

Missihippi · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Location: Gwangmyeong

Yeah, that's what i mean.. it was the schools contract and it didn't coincide with my own. They just don't want to deal with it, if you live in a desirable location than it shouldn't be that hard to fill your lease.

CentralCali · Joined: 17 May 2007

Hootsmon · Joined: 22 Jan 2008

To repeat what has been said above, if you didn't sign the contract for the apartment then the landlord won't expect you to pay anything. He'll expect your school to pay for it.

However, if your school still owes you money (such as any remaining salary or severance pay) and they believe you should be paying for the apartment, they'll just take the money from your pay without waiting for you to say yes. You can try and fight it, but it will be very tough.

I'd firstly try and sort out something with the school directly, like when you agreed to pay the fee (again something you shouldn't have to pay as it's not your contract, but it was a nice gesture of faith). Obviously, paying full rent might be a bit much as you won't be living there.

I'm guessing you're leaving your work contract early to take this new job? This puts you in a weak position. A few years ago I left a hagwon job early to get into a uni and despite leaving my contract only a month or so early, I still ended up losing out on almost 4 mil of cash from imaginary "apartment damages", both my airfares and no severance pay. Check your work contract small print carefully...mine was a lesson in naivety.

If your contract has come to an end then they don't have a leg to stand on. Either way, I'd also speak to that Help Centre. They can probably be more help than anyone on here (with the exception of Ttompatz perhaps!)

lifeinkorea · Joined: 24 Jan 2009 Location: somewhere in China

le-paul · Joined: 07 Apr 2009 Location: dans la chambre

koreans work on a system where if you want to break a lease early, its your responsibility to find someone to take it over. The next person would then give you the deposit for the appartment, sign their name on the lease at the housing office and then start the rent payments.
Again reiterating what everyone else has said, if your name isnt on it - by law, its not your problem (unless the school want to give you the deposit back...?).

jrwhite82 · Joined: 22 May 2010

I don't see how they can force you to pay rent for an apartment that is not in your name and you are not living in.

Check your contract. Did you agree to pay rent if you quit early?

I don't know what the sub-letting laws are in Korea, but this situation stinks of BS.

If they do force you to pay for it and it is in fact legal. Tell them you will stay there as long as is required from your contract or until they have a new teacher move in. (That will tie up their key money) Then have your new school just give you 400-500 a month until you move into an apartment of their chosing when your obligation to stay in your current apartment is over. That will at least lessen the financial blow. Then when you move out, hide a nice little note somewhere for the new teacher to call you, so you can tell them how much of a jerk their new boss is.

Or, if it is possible, try to have your new school take over the lease of your current apartment. That way, you won't even have to move. Your current school gets out of the lease and gets their key money back. Your new school doens't have to waste time finding a place for you. But I would avoid having your old employer meet with your new one, in fear of having them bad mouth you.

some waygug-in · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

Were you paying "rent" before you decided to leave?

If so, Why?

Most contracts in K provide free housing, not all though.

If you weren't paying rent before, how could they justify their claim now?

Smells of rotten fishy to me.

Quack Addict · Joined: 31 Mar 2008 Location: Seoul

CentralCali · Joined: 17 May 2007

sojusucks · Joined: 31 May 2008

There probably are some foreign teachers out there who would pay just "because someone said so." It's because of weak fools that schools try manuvers like this one. OP, don't pay anything, don't sign anything, and if they take money from your pay take them to Labor.

lifeinkorea · Joined: 24 Jan 2009 Location: somewhere in China