Conned! Am i totally screwed??

poppysarah

But receipts to the other person back up what they're saying - always helpful for the judge to see you've been telling the truth.

And if they didn't pay the rent from the start then why did the landlord leave it so late? Most would be getting in touch pretty quick.

ispartacus75

Step 1: Go to the Police. You know where he is living so tehy can pick him up easy enough. He has committed theft and fraud by my reckoning with the CC, the laptop and the rent money.

Step 2: Write to the LL and explain the whole situation then wait for a response.

Step 3: Seek legal advice about taking the other tenant to court for the rent money, you may be able to start a small claims proceeding against him to recover the money that you paid him, or at least the portion that you can prove.

All of this is made easier by the fact that you know where he is living at the moment. But make sure you get the police involved in this as soon as you can.

Debt_Free_Chick

shelleywa wrote: »

He's grateful that I'm being cooperative and believes I'm telling the truth but is not very sympathetic to my situation. I get the distinct impression that if I called him and told him I don't have any money to pay him, he'd still drag me through the courts.

Don't be too hard on him - he has almost certainly been advised to include BOTH of you in the court action. If he posted here, that's what we would say!!

And go to the Police now about the other tenant. You never know .... he might pay up before Court! If not, then the Police report will back up your story.

shelleywa

ouch Kellogs! Sounds like you got stung too! I just spoke to the LL to give him my new address to send the court summons/any letters to. That's the last time I intend to contact the LL by phone. He said he went round to the residence last night after being fobbed off all day, and got there to find all the appliances gone and my flatmate hiding under a blanket on the sofa! This is looking more and more likely that I will be liable for the entire amount. Have definately learnt a lesson on this one! Will go to the Police this afternoon about the Theft, although I'm not sure I actually have much of a case. I don't intend to contact him any more either - the man is obviously deranged.

Thanks for all your help and advice people, it is much appreciated. :-)

Premier_2

You owe the LL the money as you would be jointly & severally liable for it (although it seems very strange that the LL allowed you to stay there without ever having paid any money and only now 2 months after the TA has ended, is demanding rent for the enitire 6 months)

You have a separate dispute with your old colleague.

GDB2222

I think it's worse than that. The OP is liable for the rent for as long as the crook remains in the flat. Also, the OP is liable for the missing appliances, any damage, etc. It was a joint tenancy, and the OP can't sever it whilst leaving her erstwhile flatmate living there. It will take months for the LL to get a court order, and possibly months more for the bailiffs to rouse themselves and go round. Some tenancy agreements will make the tenant liable for all the landlord's legal costs, not just the court and bailiff fees, although I am not sure about the legality of such a clause.

The OP needs advice from CAB. She also needs to consider bankruptcy, as well as negotiating with the landlord.

[Deleted User]

What an awful situation, I agree with what the others say. Involve the police and get legal advice asap!

shelleywa

The LL said he's only claiming for the 6 months. Reason being, I left at the end of the tenancy period (didn't renew the contract). This was all done in writing and my Flatmate took out a further 6 months tenancy solely in his name. Contracts were signed between him and the LL, so I am safe as far as that is concerned.

MX5huggy

Amazing the LL was happy to sign up the thief for another 6 mths when had not ever paid any rent!!

GDB2222

As MX5 says, that's extraordinary. But I agree with the Op it lets her off the hook. If i were the judge in any case brought against the OP, I would want some proof that no rent was paid - which is hard to do. Renewing the tenancy would raise a presumption in my mind that the rent had actually been paid.