Korean Job Discussion Forums

Crowzone · Joined: 31 Jul 2006

I believe that in many cases it is a part of the 'General Utilities" that you're expected to pay.

It really depends on what it represents -- but like jacl said, if you're paying that fee, but also paying for pretty much all your other utilities, you need to ask yourself, what that money is for, and where it's going....

Qinella · Joined: 25 Feb 2005 Location: the crib

I'm looking at my bill right now and I pay 71,950 won each month for 일반관리비, which means "general management fee". Additionally, I pay 5,380 for a "basic electricity charge", about 4,000 each month for collective electricity usage, a measly 1,000 won for a "cleaning fee", another 1,000 for the elevators, and separate minor fees for things like garbage removal. So that's a total of ~85,000 won off the top each month.

Then, I still pay separately for electric, gas, cable, phone, sewage, water...

I have no frickin idea what the "general management fee" covers. The only thing it could possibly go toward is to pay the two security guards we have. My apartment has 15 floors. Assuming only 30 residents per floor (though it's undoubtedly more), that's 30,240,000 won they're collecting each month for this management fee. Think they're giving those security guards a big cut of that? HIGHLY doubtful.

I could ***** til the cows come home about this management fee. I would refuse to pay it if it weren't on the same bill as my electric.

Mod edit: Please watch the language!

jacl · Joined: 31 Oct 2005

Unfortunately, these "managament fees" have been commonplace in Korea. It's just another underhanded way for landlords to rake in some coin when such a fee should just be part of the rent. Security guards? Well, maybe. But 60-120,000 Won/month? I don't think so. Elevators? What?

Now, if you were to sign a lease, and so agreed to pay the extra management fee, that's your choice.

You are royally getting raped. Three different electricity charges?

Crowzone · Joined: 31 Jul 2006

In that specific case, I'd ask what that money goes to, since it is obviously not going to any of those other things.

Ask for a specific breakdown of what your tgeneral maintenence fee is spent on -- you may not GET anything, but you should make a stink about it.

SOMEWHERE someone is doing something funny with that money, tax wise is a likely cause -- I read somewhere that the rate of tax fraud per capita in Korea is very very high compared to other similar (in terms of wealth and development stage) countries.

It would seem to me that the elevator fee (?) cleaning fee, garbage removal, blah blah blah are all general management type of fees.

Kimchieluver · Joined: 02 Mar 2005

The maintenance fee is not a rip off. It pays for bug extermination, sewage disposal, cleaning the hallways. Security gaurds and the list goes on and on.

jacl ... you are a complete idiot

jacl · Joined: 31 Oct 2005

Crowzone · Joined: 31 Jul 2006

Read a few posts above before you make such a claim.

That person says they're paying independantly for ALL those things you mentioned PLUS the general fee.

Kimchieluver · Joined: 02 Mar 2005

I did read above.. and he says he is paying for gas, electricity and water. There is a lot more to running an apartment here than America. Consider them "condo fees"

Edit: Quinella is not the OP

jacl · Joined: 31 Oct 2005

Just because you don't/didn't have the ***** to refuse to pay a maintenance fee is no reason for any of us to adhere to your beliefs.

It must hurt to know you've have been suckered into this.

They don't love you anymore here for being a pushover.

prairieboy · Joined: 14 Sep 2003 Location: The batcave.

Refusing to pay a maintenance fee for you apartment could eventually lead to you having the utilities which are included cut off. Like water cut off so no more hour long showers. Refuse at your own risk.

If you are in employer supplied housing then maintenance fees and utilities should be handled in your contract. Your contract should state who's responsible for paying what.

If you live in your own place, the fees are there. There is no way around them.

jacl · Joined: 31 Oct 2005

Kimchieluver · Joined: 02 Mar 2005

yeah .. sure jacl. I bet you just dictate everything you want to your director or landlord and if they don't like it, you do what???

It's not just this thread jacl .. you are woefully misinformed on several other ones too.

jacl · Joined: 31 Oct 2005

Kimchieluver · Joined: 02 Mar 2005

Yes. Maybe when I have more time I will. You recently stated you make 2.4 mil+ /month. Well then paying less than 50,000 in taxes is illegal.

jacl · Joined: 31 Oct 2005