Korean Job Discussion Forums

[transmogrifier]

Yeah, I don't think the real estate agent is at fault. They quoted you a price you thought was reasonable, and you signed on. It doesn't matter what was advertised elsewhere. An advertisement is not a contract; your lease is.

I can understand feeling frustrated that you could have offered to pay a lower monthly rent, as obviously the owners would have accepted that, but nothing illegal has happened here.

[nautilus]

[PatrickGHBusan]

Apt measurements can be done in many ways. advertisers will routinely include the entrance and balcony in surface measurements.

Now OP,

1- Did you read the lease contract completely and understood it before you signed it?

2- You discuss measurement differences but did you measure the apt or get official floor plans to get the exact size?

3- The rent amount had to have been stated in the lease. If there is a difference between the lease amount and what you are asked to pay, you can have it adjusted if you have proof.

Not to be negative here but from your story it sounds like you signed off on something without properly reading it....

As for advertising...anyone who has shopped for an apt, condo or house knows that there are always emblishments in the housing ads. Thats par for the course unfortunately.

[highstreet]

This seems more of an error on your part. They might advertise it for 900,000, but they usually tell customers the higher price first. When my last place was being rented out, they would tell potential renters 1,000,000 a month, but if you pushed hard enough, the landlord would go down to 850. Same as my current place. Asked the landlord if he will lower the rent, if so I would sign today. He did and that was that.

[PatrickGHBusan]

[tatertot]

I want to add that often there is an "online price" and an "offline price" when you are shopping for cars, apartments, anything really. You were not lied to about the price in this case because there is no "set price." The property owner can tell one person 900,000 and another 1,000,000 and another 1,000,000,000 as it is the owner's prerogative.

As for the size complaint, I don't know.

[Unposter]

Triban,

If it were me, I would talk respectfully with your real estate agent and with your landlord and tell them about your concerns and your complaints. For all you know, there may have been legitimate errors and you might even find that they are reasonable people.

If you cannot get the satisfaction you are looking for, I would suggest talking it out with a councillor at the Global Help Center. There might be ways to get you out of your lease or get you out of your lease early.

There is only one way to find out and that is to try. Always remember that past results do not guarantee results in the present, though they may.

If all fails, bite the bullet for a year. It is an extra 100,000 won a month, which obviously sucks, but it is not the end of the world. Keep things in perspective.

Sadly, Korea is definitely a buyer beware country. I personally prefer more consumer protection but it is not always to be found in Korea. If your home country has good consumer protection laws, be grateful.

[JustinC]

You might want to read up on the term caveat emptor.

[timhorton]

Two things (based on first-hand experience):

1) Online ads can become outdated. This means what you see online can differ from the deal you get.

2) In many cases, the pyeong size listed is the whole area NOT just "usable" area.

[timhorton]

Two things (based on first-hand experience):

1) Online ads can become outdated. This means what you see online can differ from the deal you get.

2) In many cases, the pyeong size listed is the whole area NOT just "usable" area.

[timhorton]

Two things (based on first-hand experience):

1) Online ads can become outdated. This means what you see online can differ from the deal you get.

2) In many cases, the pyeong size listed is the whole area NOT just "usable" area.

[rainman3277]