Korean Job Discussion Forums

[calicoe]

I am so angry right now, I came here to vent as well as seek feedback. I needed to go somewhere to let off steam before I go in and deal with the landlords today.

OK, so the old, front loading machine is either broken or needs repair. The management office said I have to pay. Here is the background for my ire:

I moved into an older officetel, had to pay 10 million key money for a one-room, but all of the apartment infrastructure was old and moldy when I moved in (I was in a hurry and needed to find something quickly). So, I dealt with things myself.

I was charged 200,000 won by the owners/realtors for simply opening the door knobs of two apartments to show me as a potential tenant. I took one.

I had to pay 200,000 won to replace the old, grimey wall paper that had probably been there for years.

I had to scrub down the mold and dirt from said apartment to make it liveable, including removing gum off he floors.

They had to replace the fridge, with another used fridge.

I have to deal with an air-conditioning and heating central unit that is old, and is not optimal, yet my bills are high. The doorman who goes to sleep at midnight, etc.

The current issue: the old, front-loading washig machine. This machine also had problems when I moved in, and made all of my towels and clothing stink. I had to throw away several towels and items of clothing. I started pouring bleach through it regularly. Yesterday, I had to also bleach some towels and clothing items that smelled of mold for weeks. All of a sudden, the machine was not able to finish its cycle, and the lights were blinking on the machine. There is a small pool of water that has not drained. I went and told management last night, and they came to check on it today. They are calling an outside repair company, and want to charge me.

I am livid and fed up. Are they not responsible for ANYTHING, including the upkeep of their aging properties? Here is what makes me nervous: what happens if their old machine has decided to go kaput? Does that mean I have to replace their old, stinking machine with a new one?

What a frickin' racket! I am beyond burnt. But, mostly, what should or could I do here? They can dock my key money when I leave, can't they?

[Julius]

[highstreet]

I'm not entirely sure...but charging you 200,000WON to just open the doors of apartments sounds illegal. When I was looking, I was never charged a dime to check out a room.

It depends on what you and the landlord agreed to before moving in. Some landlords agree to fix anything that breaks and some require you to pay.

[calicoe]

Thanks for the comments, guys. No, I am at the same job Julius, this is just the first time I need repairs. Can't wait to move out of this place when my lease is up, and hopefully I will have more time next time to find a better place that isn't such a rip off.

Yeah, at the time I was told that the 200,000 won was a realtor fee that everyone pays when you use a realtor.