Am I being harsh to my housemate?

farso

Hi

Just wanted an opinion off some people here, to kind of keep my own sanity really. Ill tell the story:

Since the start of term a housemate has not had his student loan though, but has done nothing in order to try and chase it up until the start of this week.
Meanwhile, bills have come in and have lent him the odd few pounds here and there at the start of term. After having the most recent tv-phone-internet bill the total now stands at £45 and I have asked for this by the end of term, at which point he just ignored me.

He seems to be able to buy decent food (no value range) and cigarettes just fine (but doesnt go out). As a few of you might know from previous posts, I do have a fair amount of money for a student, but £50 is still a lot to me too!

The main question is: Would it be harsh to cut off the internet to his computer over christmas (by mac address filtering) providing I dont get the funds? I just figure it as : Why should you use the services if you cant pay for them?


All comments welcome
Thanks

atypical

This is where quasi–formal agreements come in handy. Did you make one before you agreed to share a house together?

If not, talk it through with him and explain your problem and what you're going to do about it and why calmly. Can't do any better than that.

Char_pdc

I also think you should sit down and talk to him about it. Ask for the money again and tell him what you plan to do if you don't get the money.

I would also suggest setting up an agreement in future about such bills and what happens if he does not pay you for them

Lokolo

farso. I am owed money from housemates for bills. I control the router. I control their interenet. Just like any service provider, you want the service, you pay for it.

Give him a warning, if he doesn't pay up by xmas then when he gets back after xmas say you are cutting his internet off until he does pay.

melancholly

maybe a compromise might be to ask for an 'installment' back before Christmas. i think you are entitled to cut off his access if he hasn't paid but i also think if you can avoid having a confrontation like that it would be better in the long run!

mellymeep

Boy do I regret putting my name on bills, im still owed money from my last flatmate which I doubt is going to turn up, he ignores my calls and texts, and even contacting him through facebook turns up nothing. Im screwed basically.

Sick to death of having no money.

Blacksheep1979

We had the same with one of our housemates mellymeep - they even did a runner owing rent. Took them to court with the LL and got the money back no problem. If you have their home address it's something to consider.

mellymeep

Thats the problem, I don't know whereabouts he lives now.. I know its somewhere in Hyde Park, but short of knocking on every door round here Im lost!

welshmoneylover

I wouldn't even bother waiting until xmas to cut him off. I'd do it now, the guy is taking the !!!!!!.

Sue

TDQO

This is why I would never put my name to bills, collecting the cash is hard work! We had a housemate run off oweing my friend over 150 quid and short of beating the crap out of him we won't ever see that cash again

JamesM_2

welshmoneylover wrote: »

I wouldn't even bother waiting until xmas to cut him off. I'd do it now, the guy is taking the !!!!!!.

Sue

Yeah, and that wouldn't result in a huge confrontation, determination never to pay back the money for unreasonable behaviour and an awkward living situation from then on... :rolleyes: