Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jondepoer]

Hi folks,

I'm paying 1.1m for a mid-sized loft in Seocho-dong. It's super convenient for getting to work, and is actually equidistant between my two jobs. I am living there with my fiance, which makes the super-high rent a little more reasonable, as we have three (soon to be four) jobs between us.

When we viewed the loft, the previous tenant was still living there. We felt really bad for walking into her home uninvited and poking around (she seemed very uncomfortable with it), so we took a quick look, liked the layout/location, and agreed to sign. In retrospect, it we feel that the real estate agent made us feel rushed, but we were also anxious to get settled (since we were living in a hotel).

After moving in, we quickly realized that the wallpaper was badly stained with cigarette smoke and was actually peeling off the walls in the sleeping area upstairs. Everything is blackened and mildewy. We hadn't noticed it before, since it was dimly lit, and and the place was full of curtains, etc.

The real-estate agent and landlord were immediately consulted, a second inspection was made by the building manager, and we were told that they would make a decision about replacing the wallpaper within a week. Our real estate agent called today, and told us that the landlord would not do anything about it.

Now, we've each been here in Korea for three years, we're a mature couple that doesn't party all the time, and we are totally done with living in shitholes provided by schools. We thought that paying this kind of money would get us into a nice modern well-maintained place, but this place looks just as dingy as our "free" old place.

Hearing what some other people (even couples) pay in rent, I'm wondering if I should just bail out of here on the grounds that it's not properly maintained.

So, now that you've read my sob story, I need some advice:

(1) I've only been here for a 1.5 weeks; should I just get out while I can, and move in somewhere cheaper?

(2) Should I raise hell until they replace the wallpaper - seriously it KILLS the apartment, and it stinks?

(3) If my jerk landlord won't do anything about it, does anyone know how much wallpaper costs to replace?

Any thoughts?

[Gaber]

What have you laid down deposit wise? People are generally pretty lax regarding terms of lease agreements here, though I'd assume they'd still be a bit pissed about someone moving out after two weeks.

[jondepoer]

10m key money, and 1 month in advance. I think the deal is that they want me to find another tenant.

I think I'm going to suck it up and stay, however I want the wallpaper replaced one way or another. So I've started a new thread about wallpaper replacement:

http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?p=2598038#2598038

Anyone care to comment?

[nathanrutledge]

Don't quote me on this, but I had HEARD that the law required landlords to repaper apartments when they change tenants. Anyone know anything about this?

[jondepoer]

Yeah, I've also heard that. A poster in another thread said that he had never heard of the law being enforced in the 7 years he's been here.

Anyone have more first-hand info. about this?

[nw25th]

[eamo]

I really don't think the landlord has to do any redecoration or repairs.......it's totally up to his inclination.

When my wife and I moved into a slightly grubby 'well lived-in' apt a few years back we just paid decorators to replace the flooring and repaper the walls, I think that was about 400,000 for a 24 pyeong apt, and then we paid a crack team of ajumma to come in and spend all day cleaning every cupboard, tile, door, window, crook and crevice of the whole apt.....about 200,000 we paid them........when they had all finished it basically looked like a new apt......for 600,000. not bad. Decorating and cleaning labor is cheap in Korea.

[Xuanzang]

I think you'll either have to change it yourself or let the slumlord take each month's rent from your deposit if you move out.

[atwood]

Most people re-do the interior themselves when they move in. And that way you get to choose.

Go for real wood floors. They make a huge difference in making Korean apratments liveable.

[jondepoer]

For those who have had their places repapered...how did you go about doing it? Just walk into a wallpaper store? Do they come first and give you a quote, or is it based on pyeong?

[eamo]

[ThingsComeAround]

ouch--

I was asked to move into a dingy officetel when the tenant was still living there, he sat in a separate room smoking, and the lights were all dim.

Big Red Flag.

I understand you may not have seen the woman smoking, however you could ask to open the curtains, get as much light in the area as possible before putting down serious cash.

I'd second on hiring the cleaning ladies and forget about it. The landlord already has you.

[southernman]

I'm all for getting the cleaning ladies in to give the place a thorough spruce up but why don't you wallpaper the place yourself if you can't find anyone.

It's actually a simple enough job, especially given that most apartments are just square blocks.

I'm going to be throwing down some key money myself come August and I'll be utilizing both a professional cleaning service and wallpapering crew (but if need be I'll just paper it myself, It'll only take 2-3 hours at most for two rooms). For the cost of roughly 600K I think it will be money well spent.

As they say in the real estate game its all about location and your current apartment seems perfect for your needs apart from the cosmetic problems which can be easily fixed. Good luck

[edwardcatflap]

Do you mean remorse or regret?