Why are people saying that monthly apartments are dangerous?
There are many people who think that monthly apartments are "dangerous." The reasons for this include high rent, the anxiety of not being able to see the property, hygiene issues, inadequate security measures, and trouble between tenants, all of which are complicatedly intertwined.
In particular, due to the nature of short-term stays, many people are confused by the contract terms and living environment, which differ from regular rentals, and the reality is that misunderstandings and dissatisfaction are likely to arise.
In this article, we will clarify the specific factors that make you feel "dangerous" and provide tips on how to understand and deal with them.
Are the rents and fees high?
The rent for a monthly apartment is often perceived as more expensive than a regular rental property. Although the apartment comes with furniture and appliances, utilities are included, and the contract procedures are simple, the cost tends to be high when calculated on a per day basis.
Furthermore, contracts are generally made on a monthly basis, and in some cases a lump sum payment is required upfront, which can place a heavy burden on users. If you are concerned about the cost, it is important to check the market rate and contract terms in advance.
Can't see inside & different from the photos?
With many monthly apartments, it is common that you cannot view the property before signing a contract.
As a result, many people find that the property is completely different from the photos when they actually move in, or that it is small, old, or dirty. Especially since most reservations are made online, the impression of the property can be greatly influenced by how the photos are presented.
To avoid any regrets, check out multiple photos and reviews, and also pay attention to the quality of the service provided by the operating company.
Security concerns
Since monthly apartments are often used by short-term tenants, some properties lack sufficient security measures. These properties may not have automatic locks or security cameras, and neighboring rooms may frequently change tenants, which can make women feel uneasy, especially if they live alone.
In addition, if the identity verification of tenants is lax, the risk of trouble increases. Before signing a contract, it is a good idea to thoroughly check the property's security facilities and the surrounding environment to give yourself peace of mind.
Hygiene problems such as mold, dirt, and unpleasant odors
Sanitation problems that often occur in monthly apartments, such as "the room is full of mold" or "there is a strange odor," are one of the reasons that many tenants feel that something is wrong.
Even if the property is fully furnished, if it is not properly cleaned or has poor ventilation, you may be plagued by mold and insects. To avoid these risks, it is effective to choose a reliable management company and refer to reviews and actual user experiences.
Quality of residents and trouble cases
Monthly apartments tend to have a wide variety of residents living in them for a short period of time, which means there is a high likelihood of problems arising between residents.
Many people have accumulated complaints about noise issues, bad trash disposal manners, and the use of shared spaces, leading them to feel that the place was "dangerous." In addition, if the management company does not conduct thorough identity checks, there is a higher risk of coming into contact with suspicious residents. When choosing a property, it is important to check the management system and the tendencies of the tenant demographics in advance.
In cases like this, it's easy to feel like something is wrong.
While monthly apartments are convenient, there are also some elements that can make them seem risky under certain circumstances. In particular, if you are unable to check in advance due to a sudden job transfer or temporary housing, or are unable to transfer your residence card, your life may be disrupted. You should also be careful about the cost and the surrounding environment.
Here we will introduce some typical cases where things are likely to go wrong and summarize the precautions you should be aware of before using it.
If you are unable to check in advance due to a short-term assignment or sudden move
When you need to rent a monthly apartment due to sudden circumstances, such as a business trip or transfer, there are cases where you are not able to view the apartment and have to move in without being able to check what the property is like on site.
The reality is that the impression of the room is often very different from the photos, and problems such as "it's older than expected" or "it's noisy" can easily occur. Even if you don't have much time, you can avoid mistakes by carefully checking reviews, multiple images, and the reputation of the real estate company.
I can't transfer my residence certificate and administrative procedures are a pain
Since monthly apartments are based on short-term contracts, many of them do not allow you to transfer your residence card. This makes administrative procedures such as voting, insurance, and changing schools and residences complicated, which is inconvenient for many people.
Especially for those who plan to stay for a medium to long term period (3 months or more), not being able to transfer your residence card is a major disadvantage. When faced with such inconveniences, it is easy to feel that living in a monthly apartment is "dangerous."
Unexpected fees charged when moving out
In some cases, monthly apartments require separate charges for room cleaning and restoration to the original state when you move out. In some cases, you may be asked to pay large amounts of money without being fully informed of these charges, which can lead to problems.
Before signing a contract, be sure to check the cleaning fee, penalty, cancellation fee, etc., and make sure they are clearly stated in the document. Lack of prior confirmation can lead to feeling like you're in trouble.
There are many foreigners and short-term visitors, and their lifestyle doesn't match up
Monthly apartments are often occupied by international residents, tourists, and temporary residents, and differences in lifestyle can cause stress. They are also an environment where cultural differences can easily lead to problems, such as late-night noise and differences in trash disposal etiquette.
For people who work during the day and want to spend their nights quietly, it can be stressful to have many residents whose lifestyles don't match yours. It's important to check the actual residents and reviews in advance.
Are they actually convenient? The unexpected benefits of monthly apartments
While monthly apartments have a negative image of being "dangerous," they actually have many benefits that make them very convenient for short- to medium-term stays. In particular, low initial costs, comprehensive facilities, and easy contract procedures are major attractions that rental properties and hotels do not have.
If it suits your purpose and lifestyle, you can live comfortably while keeping costs down. In this chapter, we will explain in detail the benefits of monthly apartments that many people tend to overlook.
No deposit or key money required, so initial costs are low
Unlike regular rentals, monthly apartments have many properties that do not require a deposit, key money, or brokerage fee, and the big appeal is that the initial costs can be significantly reduced. Especially for short-term use of one to three months, the initial investment is small, making them an ideal choice for temporary housing when transferring or moving.
For those who don't have a large amount of money but need a home immediately, this is a great cost-effective option.
Furniture and appliances included, ready to move in
Monthly apartments come equipped with all the necessary furniture and appliances, such as a refrigerator, microwave, washing machine, and bed, so you can start living there right away. Another attraction is that you can move around easily, as there is no need to do any moving work or buy furniture.
They are particularly convenient as temporary housing for people moving away from home, on short business trips, and as students, and are popular for their convenience of being able to live empty-handed.
No need for complicated lifeline procedures
In monthly apartments, essential utilities such as water, gas, electricity, and internet are already in place, so there is no need for troublesome contracts or attendance procedures. Since you can use them as soon as you move in, it is flexible for short-term stays and sudden moves.
Another major benefit is that payments are often included in the rent, so there is less need to worry about additional bills, making it easier to manage your living costs.
No guarantor required, easy screening
A regular rental contract requires a guarantor and strict screening, but many monthly apartments do not require a guarantor and can be rented with just identification. Therefore, they are easy to use for students, freelancers, foreigners, and others who are worried about the screening process. A major advantage of monthly apartments is that there is a high possibility of finding a place to live smoothly.
Important points to note when choosing a monthly apartment so you don't regret it
While monthly apartments are easy to sign contracts with, there is a risk that you will feel like you have made a mistake if you do not check everything carefully in advance. In order to live comfortably and with peace of mind, it is essential to check the reliability of the management company, the actual condition of the property, and the contract terms in advance.
In particular, women living alone and first-time users need to make careful choices. Here, we will explain the key points to know when choosing a place to avoid trouble.
Choose a reliable operator
It is no exaggeration to say that the quality of a monthly apartment depends more on the management company than on the property itself. The thoroughness of cleaning, the speed of response, the transparency of the contract, etc. vary from company to company, and problems are more likely to occur with unreliable management companies.
Criteria for selection include whether the information on the website is complete and whether contact methods are clear, and it is important to choose a company based not only on its reputation but also on its management structure.
Be sure to check reviews and ratings
Reviews and comments from people who have actually used the monthly apartment are a valuable source of information for learning about the property's actual condition.
for example
- "It was different from the photo"
- "Staff was not very accommodating"
- "Poor soundproofing"
From these real opinions, you can identify problems in advance. By checking not only the official website, but also Google reviews, social media, and comparison sites, and referring to both good and bad reviews, it becomes easier to avoid mismatches.
Check the contract details
Before signing a contract, be sure to check the contents of the contract, such as the fee structure, cancellation policy, and cleaning fees upon moving out.
In particular, conditions that are easy to overlook, such as "no refunds if you cancel midway" and "exceeding the utility bill limit," can easily become the cause of trouble. In order to avoid regrets, it is important to confirm everything in writing, not just verbally, and proceed with the contract only after you are satisfied.
If you can't view the property, provide more information with photos and videos
Since monthly apartments often cannot be viewed inside, photos and videos are important information for understanding the property's condition before signing a contract.
It's reassuring to see not only photos of the entire room, but also the bathroom, storage space, exterior and surrounding area. Photos taken from multiple angles and images attached to actual tenant reviews are also helpful. Collect as much visual information as possible to avoid mistakes when choosing a property.
If you are a woman living alone, choose a property with crime prevention measures
If a woman is staying alone in a monthly apartment, she should prioritize choosing a property with high security.
It is also important to check whether the property has an automatic lock or security cameras, and whether the location is in a place where there is little risk of intrusion from outside. Also, considering that residents tend to come and go frequently, choosing a property with a women-only floor or a resident manager will give you a greater sense of security. Choosing a property that prioritizes safety is the key to a comfortable stay.
Monthly apartments are recommended/not recommended for these people
Monthly apartments are suitable for some people and not others depending on the purpose of use and the length of stay. While they are convenient for short-term stays, they can be inconvenient for long-term living. It is important to determine whether they fit your lifestyle before signing a contract.
In this chapter, we will introduce the characteristics of people for whom monthly apartments are recommended and those for whom they are not recommended.
Recommended for: Business trips, temporary housing during renovations, short stays for exams or medical appointments
Monthly apartments are ideal for short-term use of one week to several months.
For example, they are often used as temporary housing for business trips, people moving away from home, or those undergoing renovations, and as temporary relocations, they come with furniture and appliances and initial costs are kept low, so you can start living there right away without any hassle. They are also convenient for people who need to stay in urban areas during exam season or for long-term medical appointments.
This is the perfect home for those who want to live comfortably for a limited period of time.
Not recommended for: People planning to stay for a long time, people who need to move their residence card, people who care about crime prevention
Monthly apartments are designed for short-term use, so they tend to be expensive for people planning to stay for a year or more. Also, many properties do not allow you to transfer your residence certificate, which is inconvenient for people who need to go through government procedures or insurance and pension procedures.
Furthermore, in some cases security measures are not as thorough as in regular rental properties, making them unsuitable for women living alone or those who are highly security conscious.
For long-term residence, regular rental properties are safer and more secure.
summary
The reason why monthly apartments are said to be "dangerous" is that they have characteristics that are different from normal rental properties, such as high rent, no viewings, issues with security and hygiene, and trouble with residents. In particular, if you move in without being able to check in advance, you may be disappointed.
On the other hand, there are also aspects that make them very convenient for short-term stays, such as no deposit or key money required, furniture and appliances provided, and all essential utilities. The important thing is to determine whether the property suits your purpose and length of stay.
If you choose a trustworthy management company and make sure to check everything before signing a contract, it can be a comfortable option.
