Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Meggiebea]

Just wondering, when you move into a new apartment in Korea do you change the locks right away to keep the building manager, school director etc out of the apartment, or do you just leave it?
Is it legal to change the locks?
The school is supplying my with an apartment, can I change the locks?

[thebomb]

The first thing I do is change the locks, before I move in the big screen TV and all my valuables. Why wouldn't you? Otherwise there is possibly someone out there with a key to your apartment, who would not look out of place in the apt bldg. and knows the area well. Madness if you don't!!

[seoulsister]

I always change the locks the day I move in. I don't want the landlord coming in without my knowledge, and I don't know who has had keys in the past or who past tenants may have given spare keys to etc. It doesn't cost very much, and it's a small price to pay for the peace of mind. I never tell the landlord, I just change it back before moving out, or if I can't be bothered doing that I give them the new keys. I've never had a problem.

[JongnoGuru]

I recommend changing the locks if you have anything of real value, because too many landlords are cheap, lazy, forgetful or just not "up to speed" and they don't change the locks with each new tenant. But those of you who recommending changing the locks and specifically NOT telling your landlord or giving him/her a spare key... I assume you only do this in Korea and not in your home country where it's probably illegal, yes? And you do this because ... deep down, you really don't trust the Koreans to respect your privacy or the sanctity of your "temporary home"? And not only might they enter when you're away, but once inside, help themselves to your most prized possessions? Wow!

Look, I've had a landlord enter my home and stand silently in the doorframe of my bedroom in the middle of the night and stare at me and a girl sleeping in my bed. So I'm hardly unaware of what creeps some of them can be. (That'll teach me not to bolt the deadbolt lock before going to bed.) But changing locks w/o a landlord's permission, w/o giving them a spare? Nah, haven't broken that law yet.

[ChuckECheese]

I had my lock changed the first day I moved into my apartment. I gave my boss the bill and she reimbursed it.

[tzechuk]

I personally don't change it but my husband does.. then again, though, our apartment doesn't belong to any school... so it doesn't really make a lot of difference..

[JongnoGuru]

[SuperFly]

See people...THIS is why you NEED a big black dog with doggles to protect your stuff, snuggle up with at night, and gaurd you from the criminal element in the R.O.K. Ladies, get it while you still can!

SF warned you!

[SPINOZA]

I didn't change my lock PIN because, well, I dunno.

I haven't been robbed by the former tennants because Korea is SOFT!

[schwa]

Never crossed my mind & no one's ever messed with my space.

[Cerebroden]