Housemate refuses to Pay Bills

AdaF

Voyager2002 wrote: »

After reading the thread, I think your chances of winning in Small Claims are pretty good, particularly if another of your house mates (who HAS been paying his share) could give evidence about the arrangement and what all the tenants agreed with you. On court fees: note that if you have not yet started work and so are receiving benefits or even on a low income then you are exempt from these fees, but only if you start the process at your local court rather than using MoneyClaimOnLine..

Thank you - my other 2 housemates totally agree with me which is good

Harvic

Other option is to contact the university and make a formal complaint about her conduct and money owed. Many have disciplinary processes that can prevent graduation and sitting exams. If she's already graduated then you have probably little chance of success... She just needs a kick from somehwere; whether that's a parent, university or small claims court, so that she knows she can't get away with this kind of behaviour in the 'real' world.

pimento

Letter Before Action.

She needn't know that you might not go through with it.

AdaF

comedyseeker123 wrote: »

Yeah they still will be like her as they were in the same environment. However why do you think her parents are like her?

Have you tried to contact the landlord? Say she hasn't paid her part of the bills, you are worried the energy company are going to threaten a meter in. The landlord won't be able to check the electricity/power account but you might as well do whatever you can.

How much does she owe? Have you asked the other tenants to cover her part of the bill?

I have contacted the lettings agents who are going to contact her with an email reminding her that she should be contributing to bills. As I am lead tenant they have suggested that I could claim against her deposit for outstanding bills, but as I have already paid them I don't think I am within my right to take money from her deposit.

The other 2 tenants have offered to cover her share as they don't want me to be out of pocket - but this is a last resort.

AdaF

pimento wrote: »

Letter Before Action.

She needn't know that you might not go through with it.

Thank you - I think I will definitely do that - seems like the best first step.

comedyseeker123

AdaF wrote: »

I have contacted the lettings agents who are going to contact her with an email reminding her that she should be contributing to bills. As I am lead tenant they have suggested that I could claim against her deposit for outstanding bills, but as I have already paid them I don't think I am within my right to take money from her deposit.

The other 2 tenants have offered to cover her share as they don't want me to be out of pocket - but this is a last resort.

The other two tenants need to get involved as safety in numbers, its their issue as well as yours and you should be splitting the costs with them.

I don't think the letting agency care and they are just providing lip service. If they think you have a claim against her bond, go through that method? Are you all on the same bond?

comedyseeker123

lincroft1710 wrote: »

What is the betting your housemate didn't tell her father the true facts of the matter?

100% true. I once had a housemate get her dad to call me for harassment - I told him that she didn't pay bills, I can forward all correspondence and she's ignored all requests. He didn't know this.


If the OP should contact the parents (or indeed the partner) remember to sign of as all three housemates and allow all three housemates to be contacted.

comedyseeker123

Harvic wrote: »

Other option is to contact the university and make a formal complaint about her conduct and money owed. Many have disciplinary processes that can prevent graduation and sitting exams. If she's already graduated then you have probably little chance of success... She just needs a kick from somehwere; whether that's a parent, university or small claims court, so that she knows she can't get away with this kind of behaviour in the 'real' world.

No. No and more no.
The university only cares about academic stuff and as they aren't living on campus or university owned property, the uni reallt doesn't care.

Harvic

comedyseeker123 wrote: »

No. No and more no.
The university only cares about academic stuff and as they aren't living on campus or university owned property, the uni reallt doesn't care.

Really? Good to know, particular as a member of academic staff in a university that has this exact policy... I think you'll find it varies substantially between institutions, but probably nothing to lose for OP

Comms69

Harvic wrote: »

Really? Good to know, particular as a member of academic staff in a university that has this exact policy... I think you'll find it varies substantially between institutions, but probably nothing to lose for OP

Can you quote the policy? Because I doubt that it says what you think it says.