Korean Job Discussion Forums

[hossenfeffer]

My girlfriend and I recently moved to Seoul to work for a large hogwan. The contract that we signed promised "a spacious apartment suitable for two people". When we arrived at our apartment, we were surprised that it was only one room. While this room is not necessarily "small", it isn't exactly "spacious" either. How does one determine if the dimensions of their apartment is "small" or "spacious". I'm sure that if we were in NYC, this apartment could be considered "spacious", but is "spacious" in NYC the same kind of spaciousness here?

After a week of tripping over each other in this space, we approached the director of the language school about finding us an apartment that offered one bedroom and a living room. As my girlfriend and I keep different schedules (she's early to rise, early to bed; I'm late to rise, late to bed), we came to agree that a two room situation is absolutely necessary for our sanity. While the director of the hogwan appeared sympathetic to our plight, she said that it would be necessary to break the contract with the realtor which would cost US 600,000 won. In addition, WE would be responsible to pay an additional 600,000 won for the realtor to locate another apartment for us. Does this seem fair?

I know that there are a lot of people in this community who are quick to anger. I want only even tempered people to respond to this. While 1.2 million won is definitely a lot of bread, as my girlfriend and I will be splitting this charge, it works out to be 100,000 won per month ($50 per person per month). This is less than two dollars a day. In some respects it is a small price to pay for the additional space. We don't want to create an uncomfortable work environment for the next year, however, we also don't want to be sold down the Han.

If any even tempered readers feel that it is absolutely outrageous that I pay this fee; that the hogwan is fully responsible to honor the contract; please write back with your comments.

Much obliged,
Hoss

[twg]

Hmmm... Complicated.

"Spacious" tends to mean, "It's the biggest we were willing to shell out the ass-load of money it costs for/ I lived in a closet with ten other guys until I got rich, that IS spacious" with most hagwon bosses.

And I don't fully understand housing laws here, but I think the "break lease" thing may be true. But the "you pay for a new place" is just him not willing to pay out anymore for you.

No, it's not fair. But you were provided with housing, and I don't think he has any responsibility to upgrade for you. Even with the fib he told.

But you shouldn't have to pay the first 600,000, that's his problem. The second 600,000 is yours if you want that new place. If you want to clear up the situation without a lot of stress, you're going to have to be patient, polite, and willing to negotiate. Getting in people's face and confronting authority doesn't fly well here.

ehn, not great advice, but I hope it helps.

[hossenfeffer]

Thank you for the advice... it is kinda tricky

[tzechuk]

There is a way around this - you find someone to take over your apartment (which will in effect means you are subletting your apartment), then find another apartment yourself. This way you are not breaking the contract, so you don't need to shell out the first 600K.

I don't agree with twg regarding the first 600k being the hagwon owner's responsibility. He is the one providing you with the housing, you have your housing as per contract. You don't like it and you want to move- you initiate it and you should be responsible for that costs, no? Leases here are the same as anywhere else in the World - you sign a yearly contract and if you break it, you pay to cover all the admin work incurred. It is very likely that you will have to pay for the second 600K - although 600K sounds VERY HIGH. They shouldn't get that much, I forget what percentage, but my husband (Korean) says that they are only allowed to charge something like 3% or less of the monthly rent (in case of monthly rent) - but they always overcharge... so it's up to you to negotiate...

[coulter]

How does your apartment compare with those of the single foreign teachers at your school? Some single room batchelor-style apartments are larger than the one bedroom place I live in with my girlfriend. If your shared apartment is noticably bigger than those of the single teachers then your boss has stuck to the contract. If you are living in a similar apartment to those of the single teachers, your boss is being cheap and should find you a bigger place that is suitable for two peolpe.

[hossenfeffer]

Thank you everyone. So far all responses have been reasonable.

I'm thinking that the reason that everything is so expensive in my situation is because I'm living in Deachi. I told the director of my language school that I'd be willing to commute to work if it would be cheaper but she suggested looking in Daechi first.

How much more money do you think that I will have to pay per month for a one bedroom, one living room situation in Daechi.

Thank you again.
Hoss

[tzechuk]

http://www.oneroom114.co.kr/main/room_disp.asp?room_code=609020008&regi_kind=tworoom

This one is 5 million key money and 800K monthly.

If your director is willing to shell out a little more for key money, your monthly payment comes down.

I am surprised that it is that cheap, to be honest!!!

This one is smaller but still has a living room and a bedroom -

http://www.oneroom114.co.kr/main/room_disp.asp?room_code=611140052&regi_kind=tworoom

5m key money and 500K per month - if you go for something like this, you won't have to pay anything extra, probably.

[Homer]

I think a fair point was made here about you being the one asking to change accomodations.

I think the price is a bit steep but the owner should not have to fork over more money because you want a bigger place.

You could just ask for a no housing contract with a housing allowance and find your own place.

Or, accept that you have to pay to get larger accomodations...which makes a bit of sense when you think of it.

[hossenfeffer]

I'm extremely grateful for the responses. I especially appreciate the links to one room apartments.

[VanIslander]

[inkoreaforgood]

[buster brown]

As a small bit of leverage you should remind your boss that he's got two teachers living in one apartment, saving the monthly expense of renting another place. As others have said, I wouldn't be confrontational about it since changing apartments is something that was generated by you. However, he should at least be willing to share the cost with you since he's planning to benefit from the savings over the course of a year.

[MollyBloom]

[tzechuk]

Yes, they are in Daechi.

[maeil]

When I read the title of this post, I thought you were commenting on how bad the city smells. ^^

Hope you come to a happy solution with your boss..