Korean Job Discussion Forums

Blind Willie · Joined: 05 May 2004

I was thinking of offering to pay my rent myself so when this contract ends, I still keep the apartment.

Pros, Cons, and "word of God" opinions, SVP.

Manner of Speaking · Joined: 09 Jan 2003

Whether or not this is a good idea depends on the rental arrangement for the place now. In Korea it is common for people to sign a lease, and put down a large deposit + monthly rent for a place. The person gets the deposit back at the end of the lease period; if the deposit is large enough, the monthly rent is zero. For example, your hakwon owner may have put a deposit of 10 million won, plus pay 300,000 won a month for the place. In which case, the rental agreement may not allow you to 'take over' the place easily.

You may be better off saving your money. At the end of the contract, if you have enough for a/the deposit, you could then (possibly) take over the lease and pay the deposit yourself, or on another place.

If you really like the place you have now, it's worth asking your boss what the arrangement is and see if what you're proposing is feasible.

Blind Willie · Joined: 05 May 2004

Thanks for the thoughts

Manner of Speaking · Joined: 09 Jan 2003

No probs; hope it works out and you land what you want! Smile

gajackson1 · Posted: Thu Nov 25, 2004 8:47 pm Post subject:

heya -

we basically did the same thing; the big plus was our place is pretty big (24 pyoung/4 rooms), and the key money was only 5 mill.

Rent is 450, but when we went into job negotiation, we told employers we have our own apartment; just give us a rent subsidy.

And here is the sticky part:

If your employer has put down BIG key money on another place already, and rent is free/close to it, then the employer 'loses' by paying your rent.

So sometime you think you are making a reasonable offer, but it is a losing situation for them; they would rather stick you in their 'free' place.

lots of angles on this one; not all of them good . . .

Good luck!

G.