What to do if your contract isn't fullfilled?

[Seouljen]

Okay, so, I didn't receive a tv with my apartment. Initially, I was going to let it drop but I thought it over and I didn't want to seem like a push over, especially since they asked me 5 times to work twice a month on Saturdays for a  few hours.  I say 'yes.' I want to get on the good side of my school and it's not like I will going away every weekend. Anyways, I brought up the tv and basically was told that the school did me a big favour in finding my apartment. I guess there is a maintenance fee of 200,000 won a month but the school is covering it or the landlord dropped it. Not exactly sure. But my co-teacher said I should thank the principle for doing this big favour for me. I dropped the subject and basically apologized because I got the feeling that was expected of me.

So, my question is, is it common that EPIK people have to pay maintenance fees? Also, I'm a little scared of bring up the 300,000 won settlement/ initial money. If i don't get it with my first pay check, should I also let this go? Any advice? 

Thanks!

[Jozigirl]

There shouldn't be a problem with receiving the settlement allowance as soon as you've opened a bank account. 

I have a couple of friends who are paying maintenance fees on their apartments and I do too so, yeah, it seems fairly common.  It's often included in other bills.  None of us pay as much as 200 000 won pm though but we live in a small city. 

[techteacher]

The maintenance fee is your responsibility. Not the schools. Thats in the contract.

The 300,000 should be paid within the first month. Thats in the contract. Ask for the setlement and if you dont get it then talk to someone in the POE/MOE.

[yourboychris]

Yes, you should be getting the 300,000 won within the first paycheck. I got it working for both EPIK (last year) and GEPIK (this year)
In regards to maintenance, 200,000 does seem a little excessive.

I paid around 55,000 living in an apartment in the suburbs of Daegu last year and I'm now paying around 90,000 living in an officetel in downtown Bucheon.

[Davox]

That's not a maintenance fee.  At least it's not if that's how they explained it.  That sounds like they got you an apartment that's more expensive and nicer than the funds they were sent by the local government would allow them to normally afford.  You'll probably still have to pay a real maintenance fee.

Also, probably they would've gotten you a really crappy tv anyway.  They generally do.  Just get your own once you've saved up.

[pak yu man]

200,000 does seem a little excessive.

lol...they were trying to rip you off.  Either the apt owner or the school you work at.  Unless you live in a 50something pyeong apt in downtown Seoul that is insane.