Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Jaspina]

I was wondering, if you can't/don't pay your rent, do the landlords deduct it out of your key money or do they just take it all for reneging? Do you sign leases in Korea or is it on a month-to-month basis?

[uklathemock]

[rickpidero]

if you cant afford the ridiculous amount of key money you can look into a hasuk. If you don't mind sharing some amenities.

[Jaspina]

Thanks. The key money is going to kill me when I'm there and looking for a place.

[uklathemock]

[freddy teacher]

[Jaspina]

What's an officetel? And what is the difference between an officetel and a villa? I will be working from home a bit so I need peace and quiet at times. I'm willing to pay more rent for a lower key money deposit, but I don't want to live in Itaewon. Preferable places would be Sinchon and Ehwa.

[Jaspina]

What's an officetel? And what is the difference between an officetel and a villa? I will be working from home a bit so I need peace and quiet at times. I'm willing to pay more rent for a lower key money deposit, but I don't want to live in Itaewon. Preferable places would be Sinchon and Ehwa.

[freddy teacher]

An officetel is a building that has offices in the first 4 or 5 floors, and residences/offices above that. You can use it as an office, but it is for people to live in more than anything else.

these generally tend to be a 1 bedroom studio with a bathroom. They tend to be a little newer and more expensive. Mine had hardwood floor, a western bathroom, large window, (floor to ceiling), fridge, washer/dryer, etc...

A villa is the older style accommodations, possibly 2 or 3 floors with a few apartments. They tend to have 1 or 2 bedrooms, a family room, kitchen, etc..

[Milwaukiedave]

I doubt I'll get the spelling correct on this, but here it goes

Wolsae a lower deposit where you also pay monthly rent. Our current place was 20m for the deposit and 500,000 per month (that was 2 1/2 years ago)

Chonsae is the larger deposit where you don't have to pay rent. I can't remember exactly, but I think our apartment would have been 80-90 m.

It is getting less common for chonsae because of the housing market. We were considering putting down the larger deposit, but it is harder to find landlords who will agree to it. As someone else said, most now want wolsae and a higher rent payment.

BTW, if you rent an apartment, you need to pay a fee to the real estate agent. I have no idea what the current rate is for renting.

[freddy teacher]

there is a table of fees, and it all depends on how big your place is.

for an officetel, because it is considered commercial space (even though you can live in it), they charge you the maximum, which is about 450,000w.

For a villa/apartment of equal size, that is zoned for residential living, you're looking at about 200,000w to 300,000w.

If you go get a 1500sqf apartment, well then im sure you'll have to pay more. im just assuming that most of the people here aren't going to be able to afford that, so it doesnt really matter...

[Jaspina]

Thanks! The officetel sounds like what I need because I'll be working from home. I'm willing to pay higher rent for less key money. I guess I'll just try to negotiate when I get there.

[uklathemock]