Shared Accommodation & house mate not paying bills

smala01

This happened to me whilst living in a shared house after uni.

Playing hardball (embarrassing him in front of friends, eating his cheese etc) just made the joker pay even less of his bills.

I called his mother and calmly explained the situation - (next step would be small claims court) She was mortified. The bills were paid the next week:j

Smala01

BitterAndTwisted

Finalv wrote: »

Luckily if he does decide to cut his losses and run, he has a brand new 32" Flat screen that would cover the costs of his debt to me.

No, of course you wouldn't just take it, obviously, No-one would stoop that low. But it might be possible to move it somewhere, just for safekeeping, of course. You know, because it's been so windy lately and things have fallen off shelves and that.

I think your best bet is to get on the phone to the parents. If they're employing him, or not apparently, then presumably they have funds available.

tbs624

DirtyDick wrote: »

If you're at university, you can take it up with them too. There are expected standards of behaviour for staff and students which can be enforced through expulsion etc. They could probably also complicate his student loans payments. Whether they'd actually get involved in this action over a domestic issue is another matter, but I'm at least sure they'd offer to mediate

A Uni will not kick a student out for not coughing up his share of the utility bills - its a third party debt and nothing to do with them, ditto the SLC. The Accoms Officer should be able to offer some general guidance though

tbs624

smala01 wrote: »

Playing hardball (embarrassing him in front of friends, eating his cheese etc) just made the joker pay even less of his bills.

:rotfl:"Pay me what you owe now, you bar steward, or that Clawson Stilton Gold is mine, all mine....."

BitterAndTwisted

Eating his cheese? The best way to get leverage over a student is to threaten to cut off the beer supply. Clawson Stilton Gold! Hehe

Finalv

tbs624 wrote: »

:rotfl:"Pay me what you owe now, you bar steward, or that Clawson Stilton Gold is mine, all mine....."

This made made my day!

doubt it would work he does not get food in only eats out. getting him barred from Subway on the other hand... that's an avenue to explore lol.

olly300

Finalv wrote: »

Luckily if he does decide to cut his losses and run, he has a brand new 32" Flat screen that would cover the costs of his debt to me. I wouldn't just take this obviously I would follow official procedure. ( he works and earns anything from £0 due to not bothering to work or £800 a month) as soon as he gets paid he spends it in a lump sum on whatever he desires that month. The reason he can choose how much to work is that he works with his parents and they let him choose his hours.

Have a word with the landlord about the bills & mention he works for his parents. Also mention you are thinking of writing to his parents about the non-payment of them. While it isn't strictly the landlord's business, any landlord experienced with student lettings who wants the all the rent & all the bills paid plus no trouble in their house will be interested.

His parents may end up being unpleasant to you & the landlord but when I was in a similar situation everything got paid. ;-)

Finalv

olly300 wrote: »

Have a word with the landlord about the bills & mention he works for his parents. Also mention you are thinking of writing to his parents about the non-payment of them. While it isn't strictly the landlord's business, any landlord experienced with student lettings who wants the all the rent & all the bills paid plus no trouble in their house will be interested.

His parents may end up being unpleasant to you & the landlord but when I was in a similar situation everything got paid. ;-)

He does not directly work for his parents, just his mum is a supervisor at the place. apparently his parents are having financial troubles recently or so he has said. Also he really does not get on with his parents, even though he works with his mum he stays at his girlfriends a lot and attempts to avoid his parents.

The problem is pretty much solved now anyway as student loans come through soon so he either pays up or wont be using the utilities in the house.. they are in my name so if he doesn't pay up he doesn't use them .

rentergirl

Your university welfare office can often intervene/negotiate/advise etc. And yes, put this in writing, and contact his parents, making it clear you will pursue him in the small claims court, and explain that to him as well. Good luck!