Korean Job Discussion Forums

nancy123 · Joined: 23 Nov 2005

So..I'm moving in with my boyfriend next month but keeping my apt. until Feb (rental contract) and there's black mould growing on 2 interior walls in the bedroom and livingroom...

The deposit is mine and the school mentioned that the landlord is withholding 500 000 Won to pay for new wallpaper.

Has this event happened to anyone else? Is there any agencies in Korea that will find the landlord responsible?

Thanks in advance.

d-rail · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Location: Gangnam

i dont know about any agencies, or blaming the landlord for this, but have you tried using bleach to get it off? a mix of half bleach, half water, and scrubbing it with a rag may take care of it.

nancy123 · Joined: 23 Nov 2005

Yeah, I've cleaned it and researched the topic to death....mould thrives in moisture.. it just keeps coming back.
I'm surpirsed that more people don't have this problem...due to high humidity months and subpar building materials....

Mildew resistant wallpaper and caulking would really be a hit here!

Thanks for your prompt reply.

bellum99 · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: don't need to know

You are not responsible at all....but you should have told the owner about the mold earlier.

d-rail · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Location: Gangnam

i dont know if this is a possibility for you, but what about buying some paint and doing a little touch-up work on it? it wont take care of the problem, but it will cover it up until you have to leave.

nancy123 · Joined: 23 Nov 2005

He knows about the mould...for the last 6 months...
Since, its existence... I'm sure that he keeps papering over it for each new tenant.

The mould appeared early this August and I'm not moving until the end of Feb.

Thanks just the same...

Pak Yu Man · Joined: 02 Jun 2005 Location: The Ida galaxy

The owner of the place is supposed to put new wallpaper up for each tenant.

Your boss is trying to rip you off. Tell him you want your 500k.
If he keeps it...do at least 500k in damage to his car. Side view mirrors are more expensive than you think. Slash the tires and break the windows. You can do all of that in under 30 seconds.

nancy123 · Joined: 23 Nov 2005

Bellum99 -Sorry just edited my post original post.
I didn't realize that, it appeared I was just complaining about the problem before a quick exit....I'm stuck in the rental contract until Feb. I'm still paying for the next 2 months...
My apologies concerning the confusing hasty post.

Qinella · Joined: 25 Feb 2005 Location: the crib

nancy123 · Joined: 23 Nov 2005

Thanks everyone... its all sorted now...received a pm with contact numbers for the tenant/landlord laws.

I'm not responsible and I'll have the laws highlighted and in hand when the deposit is due...

Col.Brandon · Joined: 09 Aug 2004 Location: Seoul

You can also go to the local city government office with your rental contract and put a lien on his property if he tries to rip you off. That'll teach the bugger.

jajdude · Joined: 18 Jan 2003

I don't think it's safe to live with mold, that stuff is nasty. I wouldn't stay too long if that crap keeps returning no matter how much you clean it away.

PBEnglish · Joined: 24 Nov 2006 Location: Shanghai

I'm actually dealing with the same issue now. When I moved into my apartment (which is paid for by my school), there was a new apartment building being constructed next door. I noticed that on the wall where my bed is, there were small spots of green and black mold. I didn't think too much of it at first, I just grabbed some bleach and went to work, until yesterday that is when I woke up with a massive coughing fit (2 hours+ and coughing up blood), that eventually had me going to the hospital. Turns out that for the three months I've been here, there has been a massive BLACK mold problem just under the wallpaper in my apartment.
I was diagnosed with an acute allergic reaction to the mold, and told I had something called "SBS, or (I kid you not, Sick Building Syndrome).
When I got back to my apartment, I moved my bed from the wall and peeled back the wallpaper, and was shocked to discover that there was black mold growth that had to extend for about 10 or so inches from the floor up the wall.
I emailed my recruiter back in Canada and told her that I can't be expected to stay in these conditions. That being said, I don't know exactly what my legal rights are. Can I expect for the school to pay for a massive cleaning job, or the landlord for that matter?
Any help with this issue would be greatly appreciated!