Housemate Does a Runner Owing Money

Alty · 4 Jul 2006 at 18:39

As per title really. A housemate has done a runner to an ex-boyfriends owing about £250 in bills and rent. We know where she is currently resides and even tho she has been threatened with legal action she has said "do your worst". We have a brand new chequebook of hers and were considering writing cheques to pay what she owes. What would you do to a snide like this?

Nozzer · 4 Jul 2006 at 18:40

Small claims court.

My ex-housemates owe me around £500, but I can't find them. I've just written it off.

Yewen · 4 Jul 2006 at 18:40

What you are planning to do is illegal.

Kol · 4 Jul 2006 at 18:41

Wow. There seems to be a lot of people on these boards having problems with housemates.

Am I just lucky that the people I live with are my friends or are they your friends and have just stabbed you in the back? I could never imagine the five lads/lasses I live with running off like that

Borris · 4 Jul 2006 at 18:41

Alty said:
...

Stop threatening legal action and take legal action. A small claim should set you on your way.

Werewolf · 4 Jul 2006 at 18:42

Don't touch the chequebook - it'll be fraud and you could end up with a conviction on your record (not good as I beleive it would have to be declared with every loan, mortgage, insurance application and probably jobs as well for a fairly long time).

Small claims court if you've got proof she's run off without paying her share of the debts etc.

Alty · 4 Jul 2006 at 18:43

Yewen said:
What you are planning to do is illegal.

But as long as the cheques are written in small amounts then surely the police wont get involved as they are only interested in large sums (thousands) plus when she tries to find out the account it went to the bank will tell her that they cannot divulge that info due to data protection act.

I know its wrong and we wont do it.......

Raymond Lin · 4 Jul 2006 at 18:45

you know where she lives? Fire a small cliams action against her, remember to claim cost !

Alty · 4 Jul 2006 at 18:45

Borris said:
Stop threatening legal action and take legal action. A small claim should set you on your way.

I think this will have to be the way forward.

growse · 4 Jul 2006 at 18:45

Housemate finds out -> housemate complains to bank -> bank investigates fraudulent activity -> bank takes legal action -> you get convicted.

Alty · 4 Jul 2006 at 18:46

It's sad really cos the lass is a complete ponce - she is so used to everything being paid for her. She is now with her ex sponging off him - I really wanna warn him but I know he wont listen n she will milk him dry.

Borris · 4 Jul 2006 at 18:47

Alty said:
But as long as the cheques are written in small amounts then surely the police wont get involved as they are only interested in large sums (thousands) plus when she tries to find out the account it went to the bank will tell her that they cannot divulge that info due to data protection act.

None to familiar with the DPA, are you.

Or the Law for that matter.

Or common sense.

Alty · 4 Jul 2006 at 18:47

growse said:
Housemate finds out -> housemate complains to bank -> bank investigates fraudulent activity -> bank takes legal action -> you get convicted.

But surely couldnt the defense be that it was a case of her paying what she owes in installments? (also remembering to stagger the dates of the cheques).

Raymond Lin · 4 Jul 2006 at 18:48

http://www.dca.gov.uk/civil/procrules_fin/menus/forms.htm

N1 form, the top one is what you need.

Glaucus · 4 Jul 2006 at 18:49

small claims court, so easy now adays. You can fill everything in online. All letters and stuff will be sent out. Easy as that... and I think *** charge is £25 but worth it to get the £250 and rub her face init.

Raymond Lin · 4 Jul 2006 at 18:49

Alty said:
But surely couldnt the defense be that it was a case of her paying what she owes in installments? (also remembering to stagger the dates of the cheques).

Just don't touch the cheque book. PERIOD.

Kitchster_uk · 4 Jul 2006 at 18:49

Even if you write the cheques out for small amounts so iPSL don't notice it (clearing house) then they can be claimed back (easily) and if she's a complete sponge, then the likelyhood is they'll bounce.

Alty · 4 Jul 2006 at 18:51

Borris said:
None to familiar with the DPA, are you.

Or the Law for that matter.

Or common sense.

Having been the victim of fraud off ebay I am fully aware of the DPA thankyou. I spoke to the bank trying to get information of the account that the funds went into but they told me they couldn't due to the DPA. After speaking with the police they frankly said that if it sum was not totalling in the thousands then they wouldn't investigate.

Maybe you didn't bother to read the response saying "its illegal and we won't do it".

Alty · 4 Jul 2006 at 18:53

It's amazing to see the constructive responses especially RE: small claims court

TY for all your input thusfar

Raymond Lin · 4 Jul 2006 at 18:58

Alty said:
It's amazing to see the constructive responses especially RE: small claims court

TY for all your input thusfar

Remember to add on interest as well, 8% is the standard law society rate

Actually, is it only £250? find out if she own others totally £750. The magic number, if you can and proof that she owns £750 in total, file bankruptcy against her. That'll show her "Do your worst"