Massive Housemate Problem - council tax/electricity/gas

sportbeth

Depending on the type of drugs and the level of use, you've got to take this very seriously.

My ex-flatmate brought home a male friend one night and they kept me awake until 4am in the lounge playing music.

When I went into the lounge the following morning there was a bag of pills on the table. I gave her a months notice that day. I also made it clear that until she moved out, I didn't want him in my flat unless I was there. Turned out the guy was a well known local dealer and I had no intention of him letting himself out of my flat with my telly!

Joe_Bloggs

The person in question is running away from a painful reality by using drugs. Alienating them and stressing them further will not solve the problem. The question is what is the next step that contributes towards the solution of the problem.
My suggestion is that the person be urged to contact their GP. There may be many things wrong with this advice but it may assist in access to counselling and a rehab programme.
J_B.

movieman

The question is what is the next step that contributes towards the solution of the problem.

The 'problem' is that they refuse to pay their debts. Why should others have to suffer as a result?

If I was in that situation I'd either get them kicked out or move: I wouldn't pay good money to support their drug habit by letting them off the debts they've incurred.

sportbeth

I'd agree. IT's very hard to live with someone that you're resenting when you might have to bail them out of your own pocket. Even worse when they're spending their hard earned on drugs and expecting you to help them. If they need help with their living expenses they should go back to their parents or ask the state for help. Its not your problem

lynzpower

Lets be realistic here though ( and I know im gonna get shot down)

Lots of people recreationally use drugs and it does not affect thier ability to pay bills, hold down good jobs, and generally be decent people.

Is this person refusing to pay bills etc BECAUSE they are high demand drug user and cannot pay for the drugs and the bills? Or is it they are simply a freeloader ( Ive lived with plenty of those that are not drug users)?

If they are dealing from the house or using crack or heroin, I would report them to the police and get them removed. End of. And Pronto.

If they are smoking a bit of grass and got the money but prefer to freeload of you, just ask them to leave. Although you are probably severably liable for the bills in any case.

Rakesh.Chauhan_2

This chap is a chef, all he does is go to work, and when he comes home, he smokes Cannabis everyday stinking out the flat!

He's also started to sub-let part of his room last week (which the landlord doesn’t know about) and steals everyone’s food!

He must earn a fair amount to support his drug needs so there shouldn’t be any problems him paying the bills.

I'll give him an ultimatum: "Pay up or the landlord will find out - eventually leading to his eviction!"

Its quite sad for people to take drugs in the first place, even more sad to steal!

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for your opinions - it has help enormously.

JonSimmonds

In our student house, we were lucky that each room was wired to a seperate fuse (for the plugs anyway, the lights were all in the same loop) he didnt pay his part of the leccy or gas, we turned of the leccy, removed the fuse from the fusebox, replace it with a "dummy" 12 hours later the money appeared

harsh action but it worked

as to teh drugs shop him

Mr_Vee

I think you should gang up and knock him out! Take it back to the old skool ways MANNNN!

If that don't work... try the old spoiled milk poured under his room door trick...

clutton_2

what sort of tenancy agreement have you all signed ?

Frank1in

Hi, I had this problem a few years back. The lucky thing was we had all put all of our names on the bills. We just rang the companies up explained the situation and after a bit of discussion in which we said we were trying to sort it out, they took two of our names and gave us a bill for two thirds each quarter, and one for her which got redder whilst they threatened legal action. Once she realised that we had disassociated ourselves for her and she was getting bad credit history etc in her name she started to pay up. The companies were very good when she tried to ring up and blame us. The other thing I would say is about the drugs.
I understand you may not want to go to the police, but bear in mind if anything happens and he gets arrested/raided you may all come in for some serious questioning. Why should he play and you pay?