Korean Job Discussion Forums

ewlandon · Joined: 30 Jan 2011 Location: teacher

I've lived here for 9 months. My landlord recently contacted the school and told them I havent been paying the water bill that I owe to him. This is true it was supposed to be 4,000 won per month and I hadnt paid it in 3 months cause no one asked me for it like they had in the past. When he finally asked for it he said it was raised to 5000 won per month so i owed him 15,000 won.

I paid it and now he has contacted the school to tell them that I owe him this months water as well as another 5000 won for "Septic Tank Cleaning"

I'll pay it but why in the world would I owe my landlord for basic maintenance and why does he think I would believe him that he would get a septic tank cleaned in Seoul. Am I just wrong in thinking that I know better than to believe that anyone uses septic tanks in seoul.

Is he just trying to get a few extra bucks out of me. I know the guy doesnt like me for whatever reason (its not clear why but it is clear he doesnt like me).

Skippy · Joined: 18 Jan 2003 Location: Daejeon

Your landlord likely means the big blue tank at the top of the apartment building. Plus some places do have spetic tanks or do need some cleaning or servicing done.

Many places charge a monthly maintenance fee. Sometimes some things like water are included.

Plus for 15,000 and another 5000 for four months. I highly doubt you are being cheated. You may want to find out about what other charges could show up in the future. Rather then being surprised every couple of months. Just know you have an extra bill.

ewlandon · Joined: 30 Jan 2011 Location: teacher

im sure it is just that things work differently here but it seemed strange that he could just announce that the bill is more now than it was a few months ago as well as tack on extra bills that I wasnt aware of. It's not enough money that I wouldnt just pay it even if it was bs (i dont like confrontation) but it seemed strange cause in the us any apt you rent you dont pay extra maintenance fees unless it is something you request or damage you caused.

luckylady · Joined: 30 Jan 2012 Location: u.s. of occupied territories

he's probably just being a d*ck because the school transfers your rent payment directly to his account but he has to make the effort to communicate with you for these other charges which schools don't pay as they fall under "utility"

doubt he'd overcharge you 1000 won but then again, who knows.

12ax7 · Joined: 07 Nov 2009

When you think about it, it's kind of funny. Such a big story over pocket change.

dairyairy · Joined: 17 May 2012 Location: South Korea

Zyzyfer · Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2012 6:01 pm Post subject:

12ax7 · Joined: 07 Nov 2009

dairyairy · Joined: 17 May 2012 Location: South Korea

ewlandon · Joined: 30 Jan 2011 Location: teacher

luckylady · Joined: 30 Jan 2012 Location: u.s. of occupied territories

yeah, I know what you mean about a paltry amount - but I think some of those folks who deal with that do it for a living and don't make much money - they are dependent on collecting the fees from everyone on time etc., it's their livelihood; so they need to stay current with payments.

of course for the foreigner they are always worried we'll fly the coop and leave them holding the bill and the school won't enny up, so you really can't blame them. just mark the calendar when they come and learn to expect it.

Captain Corea · Joined: 28 Feb 2005 Location: Seoul

ewlandon · Joined: 30 Jan 2011 Location: teacher

Well, I pay all my other bills as I would expect. A bill comes in the mail and I am responsible for paying it. Everything is quantified and its basically exactly like it would be in the US. The only bill that is not done this way is the water bill. I was told that I owe 4,000 to my landlord every month. Untill Last month I would pay someone at the school in cash when the landlord would ask for it. Last month he called and asked why I had not paid into his bank account for the water for three months.

I told them it was the first time I was ever given his bank account and I promptly paid. Now I have his bank account and will pay each month. Really its not that big of a deal at all just a bit annoying the way he keeps track of it (or basically doesnt).

But my question was more about the change of the price mid contract and adding on other fees that I wasnt told about such as basic maintenance. I know its not the US and I wouldnt put up a fight unless it was some huge ammount of money (or even like 50+ I would want to know more at least), but in the US the landlord couldnt just call you up and say he did some building maintenance so I had to pay my share. That is part of the rent or at least a fee that is discussed pre-contract.

Basically its a not issue that I wanted some insight into as well as the septic tank thing cause that really threw me off.

Captain Corea · Joined: 28 Feb 2005 Location: Seoul

Here's a question - do you have the rental agreement? Have you read it?

Chances are, it's "no" to both of those questions. And that's ok. But ya know what, it would not surprise me in the least if there are 'maintenance clauses' and 'rate increase' clauses in there. It makes sense.

ESPECIALLY where we're talking about 1000 won a month.

12ax7 · Joined: 07 Nov 2009