Korean Job Discussion Forums

[supernova101]

My officetel in Gangnam apparently has a policy whereby the heating can be turned on only when the temperature is less than 5 degrees celcius?

I've asked my realtor and the building manager, and they both sing the same tune.
I've been freezing my ass and hands off even with thick fleece in the house, and I wonder if this is the practice for any other officetel?

(believe me, this officetel isn't cheap, nor was the commission I paid the realtor - I stupidly paid the full 0.9% because I didn't know better )

[cdninkorea]

Do you pay your heating bill? If so, I don't see any reason for such a stupid policy. Since there's probably nothing you can do about it though, do you pay for electricity? If not, get a bunch of those electric heaters.

[highstreet]

Some officetels heat/AC is controlled by the building. If yours is, you're out of luck. Better buy a heating fan

[giraffe]

I'd also recommend a heating floor mat aswell.
Great for watching Tv / reading a book on the floor.
nice and cozy...

[schwa]

OP: Thats nuts, totally unreasonable, & has to be wrong. No Korean would ever tolerate that.

[Squire]

Less than 5 degrees is absurd.

My ondol doesn't work properly but I don't mind. I've use an electric radiator and drink cups of tea/coffee regularly. Getting out of bed isn't much fun but I much prefer the winter over the summer

[young_clinton]

I kept my ondol to at least 8 degrees Celsius and it was that low only because I had to use heating oil. That was the lowest I could tolerate by the way.

5 degrees is absurd, flat out absurd. Take them to court if they aren't going to be reasonable. That is all you can do.

[supernova101]

I do pay for electricity, water, gas etc.. And I was also told that each unit pays for its own heating too - so I totally do not understand why there should be such an extreme policy. It should be illegal...

I did think of getting an electric heater, but that means I have to drag it around wherever I go - bed, kitchenette.... So decided that I am gonna move out. I have had enough of dealing with the building manager and my housing agent.