Korean Job Discussion Forums

[adam_n]

I'm familiar with the basics of key money and rent in Korea but I am not sure what to do in this situation.

I moved into a place on January 25th into an apartment which is being rented by another person. I guess you could call it a sublet as both our names our on the lease.

At the time of moving in, the other person on the lease had me pay 1 month's rent for deposit and 1 month's rent for rent. I signed the contract for these terms and set price.

Now a few days ago, she wrote me and said her landlord increased her key money to 10,000,000w

She wrote the following "Also, I actually wondered if you by any chance to pay KRW 50,000 more for the monthly rent cuz the owner of the apartment has increased the key money for KRW 10,000,000. I can pay that up but I wonder if you could contribute to that increase as well.

Pls let me know how you think. In fact it should be KRW 100,000 monthly more but KRW 50,000 I can bear it with."

Now I don't if this is true or if she's trying to rip me off. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

[OculisOrbis]

Talk to the landlord and go from there.

If it is mid contract, they are not supposed to change the terms of the lease. They have to wait until they get a new tenant or your lease comes up for renewal (2years).

The standard lease in korea is for two years. Even if you sign an agreement for one year, you have the option of extending it for the second year at the same terms. Your landlord does not have a choice and cant refuse if you want to extend for the second year. They can change the terms of the agreement and raise your rates at the time of renewal after two years.

http://www.globalpropertyguide.com/Asia/South-Korea/Landlord-and-Tenant

http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2903506

[nukeday]

you're a sublet so it sounds like your issue is with your manager/original tenant, so to speak, not the landlord.

tell her no. she pays the key money which she will get back. you being asked to "contribute" to the key money, well, are you going to get that 50,000 won/month back in the future? If she can agree to that, as in you are contributing to the key money over a period of time, then go for it. Make sure you will be getting the money back.

The rent hasn't changed. Only the key money has. Remind her of that. Key money is refundable. Rent is not.

If she wishes to break contract, she can return your first/last month's rent and let you move out. Sounds like she's just being opportunistic to me.

[adam_n]

Thanks for the answers! I just wasn't sure on things an it sounded a bit dodgy to me.

[Chris.Quigley]

Don't give her any money! So she promises to pay you back at the end... do you really believe you will get that money back? Don't be naive.

This isn't your problem. She made a mistake.

Also, if the landlord has decided to "renegotiate" with her... She should have told them to screw off... A contract is a contract.

Refuse to pay. (because a contract is a contract.)

There is nothing that she can do about it.

Unless... you are friends with her and want to maintain a good relationship... but if not, don't back down.

Do all of this very politely too... No need to be a jerk about it. But, let your no be your no.

[nathanrutledge]

Whoa, slow down folks.

When is the lease with the LANDLORD up? If it's up now, as in, it's been 2 years, then sure, the landlord could be raising the rent.

If you moved in without knowing when the lease was up, sorry, tough luck, should have asked that question when you moved in. Caveot emptor.

The questions that should be asked, in this order are:

1) When is the lease with the landlord up? Now?
2) How much is the landlord raising the rent and key money?
3) If it's not up now, then do you really want to live with a roommate who is going to screw you (because that's what is happening here, IF the lease is not up)?

[OculisOrbis]

Also, if the landlord raised the key money and the tenant didnt want to pay the increase, then the monthly rent would increase.

It sounds like the landlord raised the key money, the girl declined to pay it and took the rent increase instead.