Korean Job Discussion Forums

melnotgibson · Joined: 23 Mar 2008

Hi all,

I'd like some advice--or at least somewhere to go for more information.

It turns out that I'll need to leave the country before my housing contract is over. My landlord has told me that she will take out the remaining 4 months rent out of my key money. Because I notified her 3 months in advance, is this usual? Is this even legal? I know that others have had to pay penalties for breaking a housing contract early, but this seems a little steep.

1. She has told me that she will refund my pro-rated rent if/when she finds another tenant. But, what is to stop her from doubling-up or leaving the apartment fallow until October?
2. How do I know she will stick to her word?
3. I'm frustrated because I did let her know 3 months in advance and no realtors have been around to show the apartment.

I'm leaving in a week. I'd like to know if there's anything that I can do. 4 months rent is a LOT of cash that I'd like to use for other things.

ontheway · Posted: Thu May 26, 2011 9:55 am Post subject:

It's your responsibility to find a new tenant to take over your lease. Have you contacted any real estate rental agents? If not, then you know why there has been no one coming around to show the unit.

If you signed the lease, then you are responsible for the rent, so it's legal for the owner to deduct it from your "key money" - hence the typical large deposits in Korea.

Draz · Joined: 27 Jun 2007 Location: Land of Morning Clam

The time I broke a housing contract it only took three days to find a new tenant. I had to pay a fee of 150,000 won. You probably should have started worrying about this sooner but it might not be too late. The new tenant was found by the same realtor who showed me the apartment. Did you use a realtor? Try contacting them and see what they say.