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Coffeecup
Joined: 30 Jun 2003
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 Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2003 3:17 am Post subject: Landlady/building owner wants Passport #?? |
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Living in the center area of Seoul now. It's sort of a combination apartment building/homestay/hasuk ...
Previously stayed at a few goshiwons and what not and most have asked BASICALLY for me to write down my passport number and name, but always said it in a smiling, non-caring non-chalant kind of way, like they didn't REALLY care.
But this new building I'm living at, owners just a bit on the "mysterious" side with various small issues. Then today while they were in my room "trying" to fix the cable channels, the man says I need to give him my passport number, direct phone #, etc.
He says it in that way you probably are familiar with, that "constipated" look on his face. Then he has me speak to his brother on the phone in English, and his brother says "yes it's Korea law that all landlords must have foreign passport numbers in case there's any problems, the landlord can give your number to the proper authorities." That already has me thinking "hmmmmm..."
I dunno I mean this "it's Korean law" stuff. What if the landlords get pretty screwy and then try to ---- me over. The owners do not quite seem as "nice" and gentle about it that the previously landlords seemed like, those people didn't even demand my phone # nor ID card.
---> What I'm thinking is give him slightly changed version of #, but if he asks to see the real passport then I'm screwed on that part. For now, I told him my passport isn't with me and I'll get back to him in a few days. Could the guy really do anything screwy with me regarding such valuable personal information? ANY SUGGESTIONS? PLEASE help! |
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camel96
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| Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2003 3:26 am Post subject: |
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| Most hotels / guest houses in the world will ask for your passport number. It probably is law. If they were asking to actually keep your passport I'd be worried. Just give him the number and move on. |
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hellofaniceguy
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Location: On your computer screen!
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| Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2003 3:44 am Post subject: |
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| It is NOT korean law. Period. If they want your passport number, tell them to have the cops ask you for it! It's not a big thing though. Just a privacy issue mostly. I would not give it to them and never have been asked for it though. I mean, you are paying rent and they have your deposit? Phone number? Again, privacy issue. It's your call. Some would, some won't. But again, it's not law in order to rent an apartment just because you are a foreigner! Hell, they ought to be worried more about the koreans cheating them or causing trouble! |
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Moldy Rutabaga
Joined: 01 Jul 2003
Location: Ansan, Korea
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| Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2003 3:55 am Post subject: |
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I've lived in several places and haven't had this happen.
My advice: give him the incorrect number. If you are caught, explain that you are only a stupid foreigner and made a mistake. It worked for me with the telephone company.
Ken:> |
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Coffeecup
Joined: 30 Jun 2003
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| Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2003 3:59 am Post subject: |
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actually it's more of a homestay, but the building "looks" like an apartment. But not an official one, and I didn't have to pay a deposit nor anything. Just monthly rent.
But the REAL issue I am thining about it, the vibes I picked off the guy, that "consipated" look on his face rather than "good business", and the few things already (like no working cable even though they originally said so, a shoddy TV that they said they cannot replace until next month, a refrigerator in the hallway that needs a good cleaning) it's just like these people could get a little screwy, even though they've been basically about average in behavior.
Would prefer to give as little information as possible, especially WOULD like to know my rights on these issues, i.e. are they really correct in stating passpost #'s on demand for landlord are official law.
Thanks for the replies so far, and anyone else would appreciate any opinions. |
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Coffeecup
Joined: 30 Jun 2003
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| Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2003 4:00 am Post subject: |
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| oh moldy, just saw your message. yah I'll guess I'll try that. Just be a "stupid foreigner." In the worst case they could get real screwy and try to kick me out/enter my room without permission. |
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Mr. Pink
Joined: 21 Oct 2003
Location: China
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| Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2003 5:41 am Post subject: |
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IT is the law.
You should actually give him your ARC number. Every Korean has to give their KSSN when signing a lease or renting a place.
They figure maybe you don't have an ARC number...so they ask for your passport number. |
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Coffeecup
Joined: 30 Jun 2003
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| Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2003 6:04 am Post subject: |
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Mr. Pink, could you suggest where you found that? Also, aren't many things here in Korea "the law?" Furthermore wouldn't about 90% of us be either in serious jeapordy or in deep s--t if we all followed the law like "good" foreigners?
Well as of yet it's still all up in the air about what I should really do, other than just writing a differnet number. Especially like I said, former landlords were as nice as heck, didn't even care when I didn't bother to give them my phone # and didn't even check to see if passport # was correct; these people seem like they COULD get real edgy real quick. As a matter of fact there's been a time or two I've walked into my room and thought "hmmm that cable fastener wasn't hanging above the tv set when I last saw it"... We all know about landlords thinking they can walk through your unit whenever they "feel" in doubt or "feel" the need, and we all know how Koreans get "feelings" real easy.
---> Let's all also keep this in focus and perspective -- the WAY I was asked for the passport info and number was that of a demand, an "upper hand" so to speak, sort of "in Korea this is WHAT we do, you have no control over this, WE DO." And when the brother who spoke english over the phone told me "he needs your number so he can report it to the government if there are 'problems'", that only sounds like a potential "checkmate" like in chess, if you ask me.
Does anyone have the safest opinion?
Anyways, further information appreciated. |
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bjonothan
Joined: 29 Apr 2003
Location: All over the place
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| Posted: Thu Dec 25, 2003 2:56 am Post subject: |
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| Have any of you checked your passports lately??? Mine says that is a Federal offence in Aus. to give my passport to ANYONE. That is what I have always said when I was asked for my passport. |
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camel96
Guest
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| Posted: Thu Dec 25, 2003 3:08 am Post subject: |
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Yeah but it's just the number they want. Not the actual passport.
Coffeecup you're gonna give yourself a heart attack.
Just give them the number or move someplace else. |
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Mr. Pink
Joined: 21 Oct 2003
Location: China
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| Posted: Thu Dec 25, 2003 3:56 pm Post subject: |
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| Coffeecup wrote: |
Mr. Pink, could you suggest where you found that? Also, aren't many things here in Korea "the law?" Furthermore wouldn't about 90% of us be either in serious jeapordy or in deep s--t if we all followed the law like "good" foreigners?
Well as of yet it's still all up in the air about what I should really do, other than just writing a differnet number. Especially like I said, former landlords were as nice as heck, didn't even care when I didn't bother to give them my phone # and didn't even check to see if passport # was correct; these people seem like they COULD get real edgy real quick. As a matter of fact there's been a time or two I've walked into my room and thought "hmmm that cable fastener wasn't hanging above the tv set when I last saw it"... We all know about landlords thinking they can walk through your unit whenever they "feel" in doubt or "feel" the need, and we all know how Koreans get "feelings" real easy.
---> Let's all also keep this in focus and perspective -- the WAY I was asked for the passport info and number was that of a demand, an "upper hand" so to speak, sort of "in Korea this is WHAT we do, you have no control over this, WE DO." And when the brother who spoke english over the phone told me "he needs your number so he can report it to the government if there are 'problems'", that only sounds like a potential "checkmate" like in chess, if you ask me.
Does anyone have the safest opinion?
Anyways, further information appreciated. |
I was told when making a rental agreement that number is necessary. Same as when you make a bank account you need a passport or ARC number. The reason is they have something like a credit agency that has your number on file, and they can see what kind of history you have.
About landlords going into your house. Buy your OWN deadbolt, and the problem is solved. We did that and didn't give the key to our landlord. We also took the deadbolt when we moved. I figured we would leave it, but my wife said it cost us 50,000 won why should we leave it? I'd suggest you invest 50k in your own lock and if the landlord complains, well let em  |
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Tiger Beer
Joined: 07 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Thu Dec 25, 2003 4:22 pm Post subject: |
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| Mr. Pink wrote: |
| About landlords going into your house. Buy your OWN deadbolt, and the problem is solved. We did that and didn't give the key to our landlord. We also took the deadbolt when we moved. I figured we would leave it, but my wife said it cost us 50,000 won why should we leave it? I'd suggest you invest 50k in your own lock and if the landlord complains, well let em |
I did a similar thing to my previous hasook manager. He had the habit of going into my room and later at dinner would actually ask me about stuff in my room to me. Nothing challenging, but just stupid stuff questions.
The next day I put a dead bolt on it. He complained that it was a potential fire hazard and he needed to have a key to it in case of an emergency.
I can't remember how that was resolved in the end however.. but I never gave him a key and I never took down the dead-bolt. I also don't recall him ever agreeing to it either though. |
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justagirl
Joined: 17 Jan 2003
Location: Cheonan/Portland
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| Posted: Thu Dec 25, 2003 5:44 pm Post subject: |
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Just another person's experience: Lived in 2 different apartments. Never had anyone ask me for my passport niumber. Asked my friends if they had and the answer was: no.
You can buy a new deadbolt for about 25,000 at E-Mart.
justagirl |
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Tiger Beer
Joined: 07 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Thu Dec 25, 2003 5:47 pm Post subject: |
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| justagirl wrote: |
| You can buy a new deadbolt for about 25,000 at E-Mart. |
Even better is if you use one of these street locksmiths. They'll come up to your apartment and install it for you.
(For all I know maybe E-Mart does as well though?) |
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The Great Wall of Whiner
Joined: 24 Jan 2003
Location: Middle Land
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| Posted: Fri Dec 26, 2003 3:30 am Post subject: |
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| camel96 wrote: |
| Most hotels / guest houses in the world will ask for your passport number. It probably is law. If they were asking to actually keep your passport I'd be worried. Just give him the number and move on. |
I rarely get this when I shack up somewhere in Taiwan or Korea.
However I almost ALWAYS face this is Japan. |
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