Korean Job Discussion Forums

[the saint]

Got a call from work today. The woman who deals with our landlord was in a panic. We've got a few weeks' notice to vacate after three years in our flat. Landlord lives behind our building. Didn't even bother to do the dirty work himself but called her on sick leave.

Checked the contract. It gives no notice period information whatsoever.

Anyone got a good place to live going in Haebancheon/Itaewon?


... or a (big) spare room

[Cheonmunka]

I understand that if a landlord breaks a fixed-term contract they have to pay your moving expenses.

[the saint]

[leebumlik69]

*edited*

[Homer]

Work (your employer) provided the housing?

If not, why would they pay for your move...?

Also, if your employer provided the housing then why would the landlord not go through them and why would they (your employer) not make sure your lease is renewed?

[dulouz]

edenrealty.co.kr

[Cheonmunka]

I took it to mean they had paid chonsei for their own place and used a translator through their work. A chonsei contract lasts two years. After that it is automatically resumed or renewed unless the owner says something. It's fixed then another two years (automatically.) If owner then breaks it during the tenancy he/she pays the agent fee for the next place and, I think as a matter of principle if he/she 'kicks you out,' moving expenses.
For key money deposits, it may work kind of the same. However, I just re-read that your contract has reached the end of a term of tenancy? Also, that you had it for three years, so then the two year chonsei rule doesn't apply?
I always presume something fishy is going on when it comes to business practices with me and other 'foreigners.' Always the natural or state laws seem bent.
Anyone know for sure about the terms for places with key deposits?
Are contracts like, annual and have to be re-signed yearly?

[schwa]

In my understanding & experience, a housing contract is typically for 2 years & after that goes to annual renewal.

[Cheonmunka]

[the saint]

@Homer: work pays the rent and gives us a tour of places to rent. They pay key monty and moving expenses which are, typically at the beginning of first contract. However, work requires I sign an annual contract with the same benefits as the initial one. When I queried this as being a bit overgenerous (I mean I could technically go back to the UK for a weekend and ask them for a flight back every year) they said never mind. So, technically, and actually now, I could claim moving expenses. If they screw around, it really isn't worth me hanging around. They can certainly afford to help out here. I've a feeling that will be cool with them under the circumstances. The weirdest thing is that there's another teacher who works with me in the same block but they've only contacted work about me. Wonder if he's mid contract and they're going to leave his to expire and then do the same to him. There's a rumour about refurbishment we've heard.

@schwa: The landlord has always given us one year contracts. What I object to from that end of things is a) the miniscule amount of notice (it's just under two weeks') and b) the fact that, despite living on our doorstep and dealing with us about everything over the last three years in passable English, he chose to defer this until the last minute and contact our office at work instead. That kind of hurts...

@cheonmunka: there's nothing fishing going on, I'm sure. It's just not being direct with us in a country where directness is relatively normal that got me...

@doulouz: Thanks for the link. I'll check it out...

[Young FRANKenstein]

[JongnoGuru]

The landlord is a ...

[Homer]

Ok the saint.....that makes more sense.

I hope your employer pays for your move....good luck.

[pest2]

[kaizer]