Flatmate did a runner - what to do?

PsychoPigeon

PsychoPigeon

PsychoPigeon

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So it looks like my flatmate has decided to run off a few weeks before we were due to leave the flat, he left a note saying he would be back in a few days and if not to clean the place, pay final bills, move his stuff (he left nearly all of it), read metres etc. Incredibly cheeky since he quit his job and has all his time free.

Anyway - my worry is that I paid the deposit through him and he paid by cheque and was put into a deposit scheme, now due to his current behavior I don't really believe he will give me back my half of the deposit so is there anything I can do to ensure I receive my share?
 
Well if the deposit is substantial, I'd consult a lawyer.

Did you make a written agreement to this? Or was it just verbal? Did anybody witness this discussion?
 
I doubt there's anything you can do if the deposit was registered into TPS in your flatmates name, other than seek legal aid.

Secondly, your flatmate sounds like a complete douchebag.
 
PsychoPigeon said:
So it looks like my flatmate has decided to run off a few weeks before we were due to leave the flat, he left a note saying he would be back in a few days and if not to clean the place, pay final bills, move his stuff (he left nearly all of it), read metres etc. Incredibly cheeky since he quit his job and has all his time free.

Anyway - my worry is that I paid the deposit through him and he paid by cheque and was put into a deposit scheme, now due to his current behavior I don't really believe he will give me back my half of the deposit so is there anything I can do to ensure I receive my share?
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When did he go away and why don't you think he'll return? Just call him and check all is ok.
 
If he doesn't return, sell his stuff and keep the money as a refund for your deposit, and if you see him again, give him a smack.
 
Pawnless Endgame said:
The fact that he has left most of his gear behind implies that he will come back.
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this..

if someone does a runner then they don't tend to leave a note requesting you do certain things and leave all their stuff

can you not get in contact with him or something?

if there are outstanding bills that you end up paying AND if he still doesn't get in contact just before the moving out date then you might want to look at seeing whether money from the deposit can be used to pay them

also are some bills not in his name?
 
How long has he been gone for? Sounds like you're just being paranoid from the information you've given.
 
Value of what he's left will give you a hint on if he's coming back or not? Dom you have access to it?
 
Did he not say where he was going? Is this a mate of yours? He did say he will be back in a few days or if not do all these jobs for him. What a prat and it does kinda sound like he may not bother to come back. Call him, or call his mum if he doesn't come back to enquire what's going on. That might pea him off at least contacting his family.
 
McBain said:
I doubt there's anything you can do if the deposit was registered into TPS in your flatmates name, other than seek legal aid.

Secondly, your flatmate sounds like a complete douchebag.
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Not necessarily. When I first rented a flat (in Scotland) the deposit was put in a DPS under my name only. Subsequently I got a flatmate who was added to the tenancy agreement and paid a deposit to me, the letting agent also added his name to DPS as part of adding him to the tenancy. So it could be that the OPs name is on the DPS scheme as well,depends on the letting agent/landlord I guess.
 
also - ditching the flat and not paying bills would be something that the deposit ought to cover

would probably need the assistance of the landlord to claim that though
 
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