Ex LODGER FRIEND ?

rks_2

My ex lodger and friend ? not sure no more , has left my property with 600 pound soe\wing to me . I have proof via her texts tht ashe owed me money ect , also i let her use on eof my phone contarcts for nearly a year which she also paid . The 600 pounds she owes include s her latest phone bill , but she is say ing tht ahse has no money to pay me now , well she has been delaying paying me up fully for months on end , now she has left she has changed her number ect .
I have contacted her at work and at her boyfriends pub , where she told me she would settle it on pay day , that was 2 days ago . Now she is maiking excuses . I am thinking of pursuing this in samll claims court , reallt dont need all this hastle as i am struggling to live now that my children are with me too , I feeele very let down fater i have helped this girl so much , ie taking her in so many times after her fall out with her exe\'s , lending her money ect .How much will it cost and how long will it take , can i use the texts she sent as proof ? thanks

woohoo_postingid

erm.....huh???

geri1965_2

She is thinking of pursuing a friend for money owed via the Small Claims Court and wants to know if texts can be used as evidence.

I'd say not, because there is no proof it was her that sent the texts.

Pollycat

I think you should give this some serious thought and research before deciding to go down the small claims route, this might give you some helpful information:
http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/your_rights/legal_system/small_claims.htm

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/consumer/article.html?in_article_id=417663&in_page_id=5

From the small amount I've read, you should take this action only as a last resort and give the debtor a clear opportunity to pay up before you issue a claim. This includes writing a letter saying how much they owe, what it is for, efforts you have already made and a warning that you will make a court claim once a reasonable deadline expires (a fortnight for instance).

If this ex lodger said she would pay you on payday and that was only 2 days ago, I would say that you should maybe recontact her and ask what she intends to do about the money she owes you.

pinkshoes

Write her a polite letter, sent recorded delivery, giving her 14 days to pay the money owed. Don't forget to state the exact amount owed, and the date by which she has to pay. Then say that if the money is not received by this date, you will have no other option but to take her to the small claims court to get the money owed.

Advise her it is wise to pay in the next 14 days, otherwise she'll have court costs to pay too!

Bamber19

If you want to remain friends with her, can afford it, and think she would stick to it you could try and make an arrangement with her to pay it back over a period of time. Perhaps she can't afford £600 today but she may be able to give you £200, and the same again next month and the month after.

Optimist

You say you have been in touch with her at work but do you actually know her current address ?

Is she liable to have any assets as there is little point in taking someone to court who has no money

I would certainly try Bamber19s option before anything else

roses

I don't think you can do small claims unless you know where she lives. Do you have her address?

Fill out the form, print it out & send it to her as a warning. If still no money after 14 days then pay the £50 court fee & claim against here. I would do it out of principle. £600 is quite a bit of money and she probably does this stuff all the time and will continue to do so.