Ex-flatmate grief

seanbrown86

Basically my ex French flatmate is refusing to pay the gas and electricity bill for the last few months and is going back to France on thursday. I'm at a bit of a loss as what to do, I know if he was based in Britain I could take him to the small claims court and get what I'm owed but as he leaving the country altogether I'm not sure of my options. I was wondering whether the accomadation office can help? I am not the olny one he is doing this to either, he also owes Virgin Media over £100 which he's skipping the country on.

He's also accusing me of theft of a PSP which I have had nothing to do with, however he has not come directly to me on that point simply going behind my back to my girlfriend and friends. This has angered me greatly, he nothing like a real man if he can't directly come and ask me to my face, instead he's rather be snide and affect my relationships with my partner and friends. The thing is he says I'm dishonest and untrustworthy, even tho he owes me money, Virgins Media money and another internet provider in France money and he's skipping on us all.

I am not sure if he is doing this to try and have an excuse to getting out of paying the bill, or he genuinely thinks I have had something to do with it. But the theft issue is no a worry as I have had nothing to do with it so he hasn't a leg to stand on if he pursues it (to quote a police mate of mine, the worse case scenario would be me walking out of the police station laughing my !!!! off). The loss of the bill money is my concern, its only about £30 but when your a cash strapped graduate up to your eyes in debt £30 makes alot of difference.

Sorry if any of that sounded like a rant but I do appreciate any advice you have to give on this subject.

sinizterguy

If the bills are in his name, then you shouldnt be liable for it.

If the bills are in both yours and his name, or just your name you are stuck with them AFAIK.

As for the matter of the PSP or whatever, either confront him or ignore it and he will be gone soon.

MoneySavingStudent_2

This is very mean and he doesnt sound very nice.
i agree with sinizterguy if the bills are in his name then its nothing to do with you so its ok. Otherwise i should probs get the courts involved esp if hes trying to run from it!
He sounds like he does have the money but just doesnt wana hand it over. If he can afford a PSP he should be able to afford his bill.

Probs best that you did post this just to have a good rant and get it out ya system!

seanbrown86

So is there anything I can actually do or not? I can probs get hold of his parents address in France, but is there anyway to get my money? Do I have a leg to stand on or am I stuffed? I can get the courts involved I guess but will that make any difference? Can they actually do anything?

smallvillex

Are the bills in your name then?

lil_lisa

''Bailiff' him. Take £30 of his stuff before he leaves.....


..... I'm kidding of course..... :A

everythingblogcast

One way to really screw him is to as lil_lisa said to take something of his you can get £30 for as payment, or even better say that he was stating that our sweet land is going to fall soon. And watch the Police take him away.

DogDave

Does your Student Advice Centre (if you have one) have anything to say about this? I am pretty sure if the bills are in both your names you will be liable for his debts.. so you are probably stuck. I would try your best to get an address for him in France. I wonder if its possible to 'shop' him to credit checking agencies, utility companies etc so that he has no chance of ever getting credit if he comes back to blighty?

surfcat

Are you in control of the redistribution of the deposit? If you are fortunate to be in that position, then it makes a very simple way of getting your money back.

seanbrown86

The bill is in my name solely. I have an addresses for him in France also. I don't really know who to turn to about this and alas I'm worried there will be nothing I can really do.

I've emailed the accomadation office concerning his diposit and they seem to be ignoring me. I think he's on his way back to France right now as well, he's really screwed me over and I just wanna beat the living daylights out of him. sigh sigh sigh

melancholly

if it helps at all, you're not the only person to have been messed around by housemates with bills..... i've now been doign the shared living thing for 8 years and even after all that time, someone moved out (and disappeared!) owing about £450 in total......... there are really selfish nasty people out there and even 'friends' can become very funny about money. i'd pay the £30, put it down to experience and try to forget about him...... not the answer you want to hear, but if the bills are in your name i can't see you getting him to pay you the money - sorry!