Korean Job Discussion Forums

[OculisOrbis]

If an individual or school were looking to rent an apartment, how long would it take from the start of the search to the time an individual could move in to the apartment? Assume that apartments are plentiful in the area that is required and also that I asking about a limited time frame so how little time would be necessary. Not sure if this question will be considered job related, but it is for me and that's why I posted it here. Thanks in advance for any responses.

[kat2]

As long as you aren't extrememly picky or something, you should find a normal kind of place within a week. You are already aware of hte key money system, I assume.

[OculisOrbis]

Yes. I'm aware of the key money system, but the apartment is not for me so that is not a concern. Thanks. I figured that a about a week would be a reasonable amount of time.

[gsxr750r]

You can find one in a day, and if it's open, be moved in within a few days (provided they don't drag their feet doing things between you and the owner).

Something worth mentioning: It's common practice for realtors to show you the "crap" places first in hopes that you accept one of them. They did this to me, despite my being very specific about what I wanted. I looked at 8 places, and had them hemming/hawing about how "difficult" I was. This is normal. Be difficult.

I also learned (in my case) to ask for not only "newer" apartments, but to specify something no older than 3 to 5 years. To realtors, something 10 years older is often considered "new."

Some other hints:

1. Koreans generally don't like basement places (break-ins, lack of windows, possible stinky drain problems, etc.), so the realtor will often show you lots of those unless you tell them not to. You might get a bit better price on a basement place, because they don't go so fast.

2. Ask about additional monthly fees -- especially staircase upkeep/cleaning, and management fees. Newer high-rise offictells in Bundang, for example, will have "management fees" for cleaning which can be as high as 80,000 won extra per month or more.

3. Find out if lots of students live there. My last place was full of students who were up all night, walking home drunk and yelling in the halls, etc. It was awful.

4. Check the shower water pressure, and check it for heating. Let it run for a good minute. Make sure it stays warm enough, and that it stays warm at a constant pressure you are comfortable with. I lived in a place that, after an initial 20 second blast of scalding water, would only give me hot water at almost a trickle. Especially in winter.

5. Make sure you change the door locks. It's not expensive to do yourself, and isn't really hard if you can buy the hardware. There are locksmith phone numbers on the key locks as well. Locksmith costs aren't that high, either.

If I think of anything else, I'll let you know. Oh, there is a finders fee for realtors... maybe 200,000? Can't remember.