Korean Job Discussion Forums

JJJ · Joined: 27 Nov 2006 Location: Seoul

So, again at the last min. (8:55 am today) I was told to give my key to my apartment so they could give it to the rental agent to start showing my apartment.

I am not renewing with the public school. My contract is up Aug. 24 and I am out of here on Aug. 10th.

I told my KT, no way. I have to clean up first at the very least. Then I thought about it some more and I told her I don't want a rental agent walking in when my gf is there, or I am sleeping in, taking a shower, dump or whatever. I told her I need 24 hours notice before I let someone in. She said, I can't do that. I must give the key to the agent so they can start showing the apartment. Ok, I understand but do I not get say in the matter. Do I have to do this or do I have any rights in this situation?

Thanks in advance for your help.

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

It is your place til the end of your contract. Does the school have a copy of your key? This is where you change the locks if you do. It'll be cheaper than getting a hotel for the rest of your contract.

seoulsucker · Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2007 5:57 pm Post subject:

Is it actually your place? Or is it the school's? I feel you on the whole privacy thing. I went through the same stuff my first year. Unfortunately, if your school has put down the deposit, pays the monthly rent, etc. you kind of have to play ball.

Two words that have saved me tons of grief in the last 3 years...HOUSING ALLOWANCE.

Qinella · Joined: 25 Feb 2005 Location: the crib

JJJ · Joined: 27 Nov 2006 Location: Seoul

Yeah, thanks everyone. It looks like I will have to give in to the school demands, eventually. I will try on Monday to let them know to call me in advance so I can be there but I am almost certain that won't fly.

No happy about the whole thing at all. If they called me in advance, no problem. I just don't like this come on in anytime situation. I've got a big jar of change, papers, passport, sunglasses etc, etc. Who knows if the new tennet is a clepto. I don't want to have to hide everything for the next 4 weeks. Jeez, another thing to sour my attitude here. Nice way to end the bloody job. Not happy at all.

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

Keep your door deadlocked. If you don't have a deadlock, at least get a security chain. Then you'll have a chance to get some clothes on before they come barging in.

Demophobe · Joined: 17 May 2004

In my experience, that is the way it works here. The realtors call whenever they like. Its certainly more comfortable for the potential buyer/renter to be able to see all available apartments whenever they like. I know as the former, I was very thankful not to have to make an appointment to see each and every place I wanted.

Generally, the potential tenants just come in for a few seconds; people have seen me and my family in all situations. They won't come in until you give them the all clear and if someone is in the bathroom, they won't go in there.

I don't think it's that big a deal...the greatest headache for me was keeping our places spotless 24/7 until they were rented. The people going from place to place don't give a darn about the people in the place, they just want to see the pad, not the people. At least, that's how I was when I was looking at places.

Inconvenient, but that's the way it works in Korea. As I said, when you are looking for a place, its a blessing, when you are trying to rent/sell a place, its a bit of a drag.

sojourner1 · Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2007 7:55 pm Post subject:

Yea, I noticed that my landlady who lives in the front unit of the villa house I live comes to the window and look in, often speaking in Korean, and often comes in the apartment itself while I am gone.

You have little privacy and space here.