Housemate done a runner

thesubstitute · 12 Mar 2009 at 21:42

So one of my housemates have done a runner on us, after owing the landlord 2 months' rent plus some bills, which comes to a fair bit actually. We were all due to move out at the end of this month as well, so he's clearly planned his trip to skip town. Naturally he's not answering his phone.

The other housemate and I went through some of his stuff and found out that he's been claiming job seekers and housing benefits when he's been working. We've got his NI number from his job seekers paper work, it's his name down for gas and electric bill on the current address, and his name is on the council tax bill, I've got his bank account and sort code, phone number.

Just wondering, how realistic is it that I'd been able to track him down based on this information?

He must have some money to be able to find alternative accommodation, unless he's bunking at his dad's I guess... But I feel the first thing about pursuing this would probably be finding him first.

What do you guys reckon?

Nix · 12 Mar 2009 at 21:43

He can get debt-collectors/bailiffs after him if gone through the correct channels.

Are you liable for his rent?

Millwall.FC · 12 Mar 2009 at 21:46

Spill the beans!

helpimcrap · 12 Mar 2009 at 21:48

its not nice but doob him in as it might save you money. i'd report it to the police as they'll be able to advise best regarding who to contact.

D18241 · 12 Mar 2009 at 21:51

sure with his name + national insurance number if push comes to shove over bills they could track him down

Strife212 · 12 Mar 2009 at 21:53

The other housemate and I went through some of his stuff and found out that he's been claiming job seekers and housing benefits when he's been working. We've got his NI number from his job seekers paper work, it's his name down for gas and electric bill on the current address, and his name is on the council tax bill, I've got his bank account and sort code, phone number.

Just wondering, how realistic is it that I'd been able to track him down based on this information?

Send it to the DWP

helpimcrap · 12 Mar 2009 at 21:54

Strife212 said:
Send it to the DWP

they can't do anything without the NI number lol.

Strife212 · 12 Mar 2009 at 21:56

We've got his NI number from his job seekers paper work

!

helpimcrap · 12 Mar 2009 at 21:57

Strife212 said:
!

i know. thats why i said it - i suppose ironic humour.

Steve2000 · 12 Mar 2009 at 21:59

Grass him up for benefit sponging. Give them the details you have, and they should sort the rest.

thesubstitute · 12 Mar 2009 at 22:00

We're liable for his rent unfortunately, and since he owed 2 months already, it comes to over £500.

We'll be making calls tomorrow with the Job Seeker's Department with the information. Part of us just want to actually find him though

helpimcrap · 12 Mar 2009 at 22:01

thesubstitute said:
We're liable for his rent unfortunately, and since he owed 2 months already, it comes to over £500.

We'll be making calls tomorrow with the Job Seeker's Department with the information. Part of us just want to actually find him though

if you do find be careful to wear gloves so they can't identify people from the body. make sure you get rid of fibres.

Greenlizard0 · 12 Mar 2009 at 22:02

Simple, if you can leave him a message (voicemail?). Tell him to pay what's owed in bills and rent, otherwise you grass him up to the jobseekers people which will cost him more. Don't collect a cheque obviously

Oj2k4 · 12 Mar 2009 at 22:10

Don't feel the need to pay the bills if they're all in his name. Landlord isn't liable to those bills so i don't think he'd bother blaming you guys..

bledd · 12 Mar 2009 at 22:10

what a ####

don't pay up yet, explain to your landlord, get him to call the police with the information that you have

Amnesia · 12 Mar 2009 at 22:12

Greenlizard0 said:
Simple, if you can leave him a message (voicemail?). Tell him to pay what's owed in bills and rent, otherwise you grass him up to the jobseekers people. Don't collect a cheque obviously

this one

thesubstitute · 12 Mar 2009 at 22:13

Police said it's a civil matter, and landlord wants us to foot the rent cuz he's not on the tenancy agreement.

Not sure if leaving a voicemail is going to be worth it really since he's obviously planned the runner and I don't want to make it sound like all we have on him is the JSA - who probably wouldn't have his address anyway. He seem to have stopped claiming now, since he's left his paperwork behind.

Tobes · 12 Mar 2009 at 22:14

Steve2000 said:
Grass him up for benefit sponging. Give them the details you have, and they should sort the rest.

Do this. You could threaten him before hand if you wanted to be nice, because once you ring them and tell them about this they will not go easy on him.

alex24 · 12 Mar 2009 at 22:14

Greenlizard0 said:
Simple, if you can leave him a message (voicemail?). Tell him to pay what's owed in bills and rent, otherwise you grass him up to the jobseekers people. Don't collect a cheque obviously

Then grass him up anyway, sounds like he deserves a taste of reality.

Fox · 12 Mar 2009 at 22:16

thesubstitute said:
Police said it's a civil matter, and landlord wants us to foot the rent cuz he's not on the tenancy agreement.

Not sure if leaving a voicemail is going to be worth it really since he's obviously planned the runner and I don't want to make it sound like all we have on him is the JSA - who probably wouldn't have his address anyway. He seem to have stopped claiming now, since he's left his paperwork behind.

Tough break on the tenancy. Why did you not get him put on it? I would inform them anyway, a benefit cheat is a benefit cheat, and if he rocks up and tries to claim again he will be hopefully be screwed.