Site Search:
 
Speak Korean Now!
Teach English Abroad and Get Paid to see the World!
Korean Job Discussion Forums Forum Index Korean Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Teachers from Around the World!"
 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

Contract ended early, employer wants me to keep paying rent

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Korean Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Job-related Discussion Forum
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
myenglishisno



Joined: 08 Mar 2011
Location: Geumchon

PostPosted: Thu May 05, 2011 11:03 pm    Post subject: Contract ended early, employer wants me to keep paying rent Reply with quote

My previous employer was an adult hagwon which means that the rent was subsidized but not fully paid by the employer. I signed the contract before returning to Korea and when I returned they had a Key Money Addendum waiting for me that I had to sign before moving into my apartment. If I would've known about the Addendum before coming to Korea I would have never signed the original contract.

Anyway, the Addendum says that in the event an employee leaves before the contract is up (which they always do because of the working conditions), then the employee is responsible for paying rent on the apartment for the rest of the lease or until the land lord finds a new tenant.

The apartment is in the company's name, not mine. It's their apartment.

So what I'm wondering is if the Key Money Addendum is legally binding considering that I moved onto a different employer and my visa was transferred.

They trapped me into signing it as I signed it after I arrived and had no choice because I didn't have the funds to purchase my own apartment up front when I arrived.

They have no motivation or incentive to find a tenant which means I could be paying rent on the apartment for the rest of the lease.

Thanks for any advice.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
lifeinkorea



Joined: 24 Jan 2009
Location: somewhere in China

PostPosted: Thu May 05, 2011 11:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
My previous employer was an adult hagwon which means that the rent was subsidized but not fully paid by the employer.


I don't see how this makes any difference. If you got a normal E2 visa, then the usual thing is for the employer (public school, hagwon for kids, hagwon for adults, anywhere) to provide you a place to stay. Other than that, it is between them and the landlord, you are out of the picture.

Quote:
I signed the contract before returning to Korea and when I returned they had a Key Money Addendum waiting for me that I had to sign before moving into my apartment. If I would've known about the Addendum before coming to Korea I would have never signed the original contract.


Never sign this type of thing. Of course they didn't tell you until you came.

Quote:
They trapped me into signing it as I signed it after I arrived and had no choice because I didn't have the funds to purchase my own apartment up front when I arrived.


You had the choice not to sign it. You had to choice to fight this with them at the time. Now, you have waited. I don't know the legal ramifications.


Last edited by lifeinkorea on Fri May 06, 2011 12:35 am; edited 1 time in total
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website Yahoo Messenger MSN Messenger
Triban



Joined: 14 Jul 2009
Location: Suwon Station

PostPosted: Thu May 05, 2011 11:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

LOL.......................no
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
ESL Milk "Everyday



Joined: 12 Sep 2007

PostPosted: Thu May 05, 2011 11:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

That is ridiculous.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
myenglishisno



Joined: 08 Mar 2011
Location: Geumchon

PostPosted: Thu May 05, 2011 11:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

They're taking a month's rent off my last paycheque and they want me to transfer money to them every month.

I won't but if there would be legal ramifications (ie: they lawyer up and sue me) then I guess I kind of have to... Sad

The hagwon is a the biggest chain in Korea which makes me worry. If It was just a mom and pop hagwon I wouldn't even be posting about it here.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
RMNC



Joined: 21 Jul 2010

PostPosted: Thu May 05, 2011 11:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Bahahahahaha

No.

Stop talking to them, and tell them nothing. Vanish. Are you getting/did you get a new job in Korea? Do they know where you live or work?

It really doesn't matter, honestly, they're going to get a new teacher anyways. Why should you pay the new teacher's rent? They can't do anything to you, don't worry.

Also, just so everyone else knows, this is why you print out the contract before you're offered before you come over and you sign THAT one and nothing else.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
ED209



Joined: 17 Oct 2006

PostPosted: Fri May 06, 2011 1:01 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Change your phone number. Let them whistle in the wind. Did they pay taxes/pension/health insurance? If not, contact the relevant gov dept.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
jrwhite82



Joined: 22 May 2010

PostPosted: Fri May 06, 2011 2:01 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Here's the problem though for the OP.

If you put YOUR money down for the key money, you will not get it back until a new tenant moves in and puts their key money down. And they will just deduct each months rent from it.

However, if you didn't put your money down...the worst they can do is take your last months pay.

You're kind of SOL if you want that money back because you'll have to go to the labor board to get it most likely and then they have this thing you signed that agrees to pay for rent until a new tenant moves in....


Last edited by jrwhite82 on Fri May 06, 2011 2:05 am; edited 1 time in total
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
jrwhite82



Joined: 22 May 2010

PostPosted: Fri May 06, 2011 2:03 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

RMNC wrote:
Bahahahahaha

No.

Stop talking to them, and tell them nothing. Vanish. Are you getting/did you get a new job in Korea? Do they know where you live or work?

It really doesn't matter, honestly, they're going to get a new teacher anyways. Why should you pay the new teacher's rent? They can't do anything to you, don't worry.

Also, just so everyone else knows, this is why you print out the contract before you're offered before you come over and you sign THAT one and nothing else.


This is good advice. What you do is make sure to sign EVERY SINGLE PAGE OF IT. That way they can't just staple an extra page and say it was part of the packet you agreed to.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
myenglishisno



Joined: 08 Mar 2011
Location: Geumchon

PostPosted: Fri May 06, 2011 2:19 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

jrwhite82 wrote:
Here's the problem though for the OP.

If you put YOUR money down for the key money, you will not get it back until a new tenant moves in and puts their key money down. And they will just deduct each months rent from it.

However, if you didn't put your money down...the worst they can do is take your last months pay.

You're kind of SOL if you want that money back because you'll have to go to the labor board to get it most likely and then they have this thing you signed that agrees to pay for rent until a new tenant moves in....


The only reason I signed the addendum was because I couldn't afford a place (it's their key money and not mine). If I hadn't signed it I would have been homeless for my first month Sad
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
RMNC



Joined: 21 Jul 2010

Post