Lodger not paying bills before departure

cheerypie12

Hello, I am hoping for some advice. 

My lodger of two years is moving out next week and she is likely flying back to her home country abroad. 
Last week I sent her the recent bills for electricity, gas, water etc as well as repairs to various items she has damaged throughout my property, to which she agreed to pay for. 
However, now she is saying she needs two weeks to pay, as she needs to move money between her accounts and she wasn't expecting these bills. She was fully aware. I said
I needed these bills this week, as it is cutting it too fine to pay the day before she leaves, or even the week after she leaves. The cost of the repairs exceed the amount of the deposit. 
Furthermore, I just noticed she has not applied for student exemption for council tax over the past year, so the full amount has been coming out of my account.
I am extremely concerned she is not going to pay before she leaves, and I will be left with a huge hole in my account. 
Any advice?

AdrianC

Small claim.

But it won't be quick. And, once she's left the country, forget it.

You've only just noticed that you've been paying a third more council tax over the last year than you were expecting? CT is your problem.

allypally26

Generally lodgers pay a set rent including bills. 

Council tax is your responsibility you should have got the info (just her student number) and filled in. 

cheerypie12

Yes, the council tax comes out via direct debit and I just assumed the student exemption would continue. 

cheerypie12

The local council say she needs to fill in a form and submit her student certification (a number won't do). 

cheerypie12

Our agreement states she pays rent, as well as bills. 

allypally26

cheerypie12 said:

The local council say she needs to fill in a form and submit her student certification (a number won't do). 

Well why didn’t you check she had done it. Seriously this is your responsibility. 

k3lvc

cheerypie12 said:

I am extremely concerned she is not going to pay before she leaves, and I will be left with a huge hole in my account. 
Any advice?

You're right to be concerned - unless you appeal to her better judgement and get her to transfer you some money now to cover the outstanding then I suspect you'll not see a penny 

GrumpyDil

I'm confused. As a lodger she is sharing your house so I would have expected the rent to have included an estimate of the cost of utities.

Also as the house owner you are responsible for paying the council tax so again this is something you should have dealt with earlier.

Very unlikely that you are going to get anywhere with this as in practice, if she doesn't pay what are you going to do? 

Keswick1uk

All lodging agreements I've known have had bills included. How do you work them out, a simple split? Repairs are greater than the deposit, what has she suddenly done - are you sure its not fair wear and tear ?

Along with the council tax, it sounds like you've been lax on your administration. 

dimbo61

Another lesson learned.
Next time make sure the rent includes all the bills.
What damage has she done that won't be covered by the deposit ?
She has lived in your home for the last 2 years and I Hope paid you rent every month as a student ?
Under the Rent a Room scheme you can earn upto £7500 Tax free from having a lodger each year.
You would have to earn another £10,000 from working to " Take home " that amount of money.
Broadband will cost the same if One/Two or Five people in the property.
Same with Gas/Electric and even water.
Say thank you for sharing my home for the last 2 years and move on.
Spareroom is a good place to post an advert for the room