Friend owes me money but is avoiding me. Please help!

catface123

Hi all,

I have unfortunately got myself in a tough situation which I need some advice on.

I got into an agreement to rent a 2 bedroom house, and we were searching for this for around 1-2 months via Rightmove and Estate Agents. Long story short, I found a place that was decent and offered a "low ball" price just to hold off the property. This required a 630 holding deposit, which is 160*2 and one week rent.

So I paid my half that amount 315gbp and send her a high resolution video with commentary by the agent of the property. I also provided the postal code and details on the distance to tube station. I told the agent to give some time for my friend to review and she will put up the other half of the 315gbp.

Shortly after, I got a text by my friend that the place is good but she doesn't have access to her bank details as she is on a family vacation in the countryside. She wanted me to spot her 315gbp. I was a little apprehensive, but she was like trust me you know I'm good for it. This was 2.5 weeks before the move in date.

Following that, we did all the paper work and passed the referencing and credit checks. The agency drawn up a joint tenancy agreement but have not signed it.

Fast forward, 2 days before the agreed move in date in the contract, the agency reminded us to pay the security deposit and one month rent before the move in date to receive the keys. She texts me to say that "I'm not feeling the property now" and that "Her mother is leaving her father, and she just told me this." and "I'm really sorry, I will give you the other half of the holding deposit."

So given the risk of not being able to find a roommate (could be a constant bleed of 700gbp monthly), I had to walk away and lose 630gbp holding deposit.

Given her family mitigating circumstances (it is probably a lie), I'm trying to retrieve 315gbp - half of the security deposit that she agreed to pay back. I have text messages of her agreeing to this. She had now blocked me on whatsapp and never picks my calls. I have send her multiple text messages to remind her about this.

I wanted to know if I could escalate this to the small claims court and retrieve half of my loss. I like to know what are the changes of winning this claim or it would be a waste of time and effort.

I have her work address, pictures of the receipt that I paid for her with a credit card, and text message that she will pay the 315gbp.

I'm 25 years old and not sure what I can do here. Please advice.

DCFC79

You can do a small claims via moneyclaimonline (might be a limit how much you can claim though but the site should tell you that) , it tells you what it costs, you have to consider if she hasn't the money then you wont get much or anything at all.

How do you know its lie that the parents have split up ?

catface123

Just a gut feel. She had a family vacation where they drove down to South England in the countryside. Family seems very happy. She has been partying it up in the last 2 weeks, I personally would be devastated if that happened to me. Also, she wouldn't pick up my calls and respond to any of my texts as of 2 days ago. I feel she made that up to give reason to her flaking.

Even it is true, I shouldn't have to bear the burden and lose my half of the 315gbp. (I'm down 630gbp for nothing now) I'm only asking her to pay her share, the share that she asked me to spot her for.

But are the whatsapp messages and her work address enough to submit such a claim?

DCFC79

Do you know her home address ?

Yes it does seem odd, wait for other experienced members in this sort of thing to respond.

No you shouldn't have to bear the cost of her half, im just saying just tread carefully, shes going to be upset about the breakup if it is true.

NiftyDigits

DCFC79 wrote: »

Do you know her home address ?

Yes it does seem odd, wait for other experienced members in this sort of thing to respond.

No you shouldn't have to bear the cost of her half, im just saying just tread carefully, shes going to be upset about the breakup if it is true.

Not feeling it. She should pay, regardless of her parent's situation.
Especially as she promised to pay even after she learned of the news.
Some people are just like that.

sandraroffey

if you have her home/work address, i would send her a letter by recorded delivery, giving her 7 days to pay in full or you are taking it to the small claims court. and do it!!!! no point making the threat if you dont carry it out.

DCFC79

NiftyDigits wrote: »

Not feeling it. She should pay, regardless of her parent's situation.
Especially as she promised to pay even after she learned of the news.
Some people are just like that.

I agree yes she should pay and rightly so.

catface123

I guess not friend anymore given she is ignoring all my calls, blocked me on whataps, and have not replied to any of my text messages.

I'm down 630gbp for no fault of mine. She abandon me first and halted all communications.

Enfieldian

janeleonard wrote: »

It is really a tough time you face with. Since you say it is your friend you cannot go for any legal issues. Better stay calm and work on to get back what you have lost.

Nonsensical spam... Like your other 5 posts....

DCFC79

catface123 wrote: »

I guess not friend anymore given she is ignoring all my calls, blocked me on whataps, and have not replied to any of my text messages.

I'm down 630gbp for no fault of mine. She abandon me first and halted all communications.

Follow the advice posted by sandraroffey

matttye

Appreciate she's ignoring your efforts to contact her, but if she is / was your friend, why not go round her house and try to talk about it in person before you take her to court. See what she has to say for herself.

If that fails as well then you have no choice.