Money owed from family member...what to do?

cheekymonkey20

My partners 18year old cousin moved in with us for 5 months earlier this year, whilst she lived here she didnt pay anything, and ended up owing me £1500. She moved back to her mom and dad's October, saying that she had every intention of getting a job and paying me back.

Our best mates are getting married abroad next year and we need £1500 to pay for the holiday by 31st Jan.So i messaged her last month asking kindy if she could pay £250 per month from end of jan/beginning of feb for 6 months.

She basically gave me loads of attitude, and whilst visiting her sisters they agreed I should mention the situation to her parents, just to make them aware. Since then she has gone mad at me for "chattin her business" to her mom and dad, and also moved out of her mom and dads, telling me that she doesnt want to here from me and I've shown my true colours and that carma will come round and get me one day.

I feel like I have been very genourous and fair to her.. but I'm not sure where to go from here... we need the money but i dont want to push her too far so that she dissmisses that she owes us money and we never see another penny.

A few people have told me that i wont see anything at all, but i feel its too big an amount to forget about.

Within the money she owes me is a phone and laptop contract which i took out for her when she was 18, with the intention of changing over the name to hers when she turned 18, but she moved out before this could be done and then found out that o2 wont allow it. I know what to do worst case scenario, i have insurance on both, so I'll report them as stolen if she doesnt give any money to pay the bill in January (i have paid it for six months up till now). But if i do that i can kiss the rest of the money goodbye.

Help really dont know where to go from here. Can i go to the council and request some sort of housing benefit rebate for her? Does anyone have any sugestions.

Horace

You could try the small claims court, it might give her a fright or you could ask for the money back from her parents. Getting the council involved re a housing benefit rebate is pointless as where she lives is none of your business really.

Be prepared though you might have to write off this money as the little madam thinks that it was gifted to her.

milliemonster

I doubt very much you are going to see your money back. What do her parents say? Her reaction says to me that she has no intention of paying you back and was hoping you might conveniently forget about it.

Do you have receipts for this money she owes you or ws it mainly living expenses?



I am not sure if you would even be able to take her to court as it could be seen that you 'gifted' this to her. Does she now have a job from which she could pay you?

I think if you have spoken to her and she is not forthcoming you have done the right thing in speaking to her parents, although as she is now 18 its unlikely they would pay you in return (have you asked them?)

property.advert

You cannot go committing insurance fraud so forget that , now.

I think the only way you will ever see anything is if her parents repay you. She was a minor and the contract was in your name. Money given is not going to be looked upon as a loan.

A good and honest mother and father would care and may reason with their child but you say you have already approached them and yet they have not made any arrangements to repay you.

I think you are stuck and out of pocket with no way of getting anything back if they have already decided not to help.

cheekymonkey20

Would it be commiting fraud, if she refused to give the phone and laptop back.

I told her parents to let them know the situation, they claim benefits and dont work, so I wouldnt expect them to pay up her debts.

I have a list of all the things that she owes me for, including bills and recipts and everything.

Wouldnt it put me out of pocket if i went to small claims court.

milliemonster

I would ask her for the laptop and phone back and if she refuses then I would tell her unless she either returns the laptop and phone or starts paying you back then you will report them as stolen, this may just make her do the right thing.

Small claims costs £200-300 I think but tbh even then, all they would do is give her a CCJ and thats if you were successful, you still may not end up with your money back

cheekymonkey20

Thats what im thinking about doing with the phone and laptop, but im wondering whether or not to contact her again and just say something along the lines of.
"Its fine if you dont want to talk to me or have anything to do with me again, but what are you going to do about the money that is owed. I want a payment of £250 plus £x for the January phone bill come the 31st January. That gives you pleanty of time to come up with the money. I'm not going to let it go, i was very genourous, giving you a place to stay, and money to keep you going, taking out a phone and laptop for you, and carting you around everywhere. So it is only fair that you pay me back. As soon as its paid the sooner we can cease all contact"

But im not too sure, but im wondering whether i can draw up a contract for her to sign saying that she will pay me back of x amount per month.

confused76

i'd go back to her parents for advice and see what they say. maybe they could have a word with her for you. she shouldn't still have the phone and laptop if she has no intention of giving you money! good luck

Oneday77

It souynds like she is being a right Brat. I would certainly get the phone and laptop back of her, before she maybe sells them on and screws you over more.
I assume that the contracts are registered at your address, call the provider and say the Sims are being used without your permission. They should stop them an issue new ones to your home address. That way she has no working items and use it as a bargaining tool.
The next one, is £250 realistic for her to afford. Remember people come one here with high stress about cash. Has she just flipped out because she has no idea how to pay you back? What is your OH's opinion, their cousin afterall.

confused76

sorry just noticed it's your OHs cousin....can't you get your OH to sort this out with her?

Ames

Join the club, my sister owes me £1800 but I've had to realise and accept that I'll never see it again. I can't take her to court because I can't prove she owes it, she's ignored all my emails so I don't even have that. I don't really have anything constructive to say, just that you have my understanding and sympathy.