Need some advice please...

Kristoph · 19 Jul 2008 at 16:30

Ok, this sort of carries on from a previous thread:

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showpost.php?p=11995184&postcount=1

About a housemate that hid a bill and took the cash.

Fast forward to now, me and 2 other housemates have paid three quarters of each bill we had.

We had a freeze on all accounts up until the 30th of July, and told the housemate who hadn't paid - he had until then.

Today I received a letter threatening county court judgement or a debt collector visit.

I've phoned the letting agency who gave me his house number, I rang that and got 'Sorry, this number does not accept incoming calls'. I then rang back and got his address so I can possibly forward on the bill.

I'm starting to wonder if he'll pay in time - I dont want a bad credit history, or a trip to court... I've been told I could take him to a small claims court, but I don't really know enough about this yet.

Any advice from people who have been in this situation or possibly someone who works within this field?

Thanks,

Kris / mp3kla

Glaucus · 19 Jul 2008 at 16:31

whos name/names are on the bill? more than likely you will have to pay it and take him to small claims court.

scorza · 19 Jul 2008 at 16:34

Pay the bill and put it down to experience. Sucks but that's people for ya.

Kristoph · 19 Jul 2008 at 16:39

scorza said:
Pay the bill and put it down to experience. Sucks but that's people for ya.

No chance.

We've already paid an extra £40 he stole from us.

No chance the three of us are gnna pick up £150 of his bills.

So would we have to pay the whole sum and then take him to a small claims court? I can't be doing with this, he's turned out to be a complete and utter ****-(adoodledo..) - he's just cut contact with us.

Glaucus · 19 Jul 2008 at 16:41

mp3kla said:
So would we have to pay the whole sum and then take him to a small claims court? I can't be doing with this, he's turned out to be a complete and utter ****-(adoodledo..) - he's just cut contact with us.

If the bill is in your name then yes. You have to pay. There's no way out of it. All you'll end up doing is paying it + costs and have a bad credit history.

You'll have to pay everything, then take him to court. Unless the bill is only in his name, then you can just forget about it.
That;s why it's best to not have bills in your name and if you do get amount paid upfront.

Kristoph · 19 Jul 2008 at 16:46

The water bill is in my name and his name, of which £120 of the £160 has been paid from my debit card...

Gas bill is in all of our names - 3/4s has been paid from my debit card...

Sewerage bill is in all of our names, 3/4s has been paid from my debit card...

JBuk · 19 Jul 2008 at 16:50

visit the citizens advice and see what advice they offer

Glaucus · 19 Jul 2008 at 16:50

mp3kla said:
The water bill is in my name and his name, of which £120 of the £160 has been paid from my debit card...

Gas bill is in all of our names - 3/4s has been paid from my debit card...

Sewerage bill is in all of our names, 3/4s has been paid from my debit card...

Pretty sure that you will have to pay it. as your name is on the bill. I think it's like house contracts. They don't care who pays it. It has to be paid and you have to sort out who owes what.

Kristoph · 19 Jul 2008 at 16:56

Ok, court it will have to be then. I'll be speaking with the utility companies monday and CAB.

scorza · 19 Jul 2008 at 16:59

mp3kla said:
No chance.

We've already paid an extra £40 he stole from us.

No chance the three of us are gnna pick up £150 of his bills.

Then he's going to screw you over even more. In this day and age you really don't want a CCJ against you.

As has been said you can pursue him in the small claims court, however I don't expect that you'll be successful.

Kristoph · 19 Jul 2008 at 17:31

scorza said:
As has been said you can pursue him in the small claims court, however I don't expect that you'll be successful.

Why's that?

Glaucus · 19 Jul 2008 at 17:33

mp3kla said:
Why's that?

You will more than likely win. But then you have to get the money which is harder and the costs involved in small claims court can be a lot. If he fights it.

Kristoph · 19 Jul 2008 at 17:46

Well hopefully it doesn't get that far.

I've just left a message on his facebook - which I know he uses - because he wont answer his mobile or house phone. I'm going to phone the bill companies and ask them to forward all bills to his address too.

Hopefully this message might scare him a little?

Hi, could ya phone me asap? Just received a letter warning of a county court judgement with our names on it. Will forward it on to you @ Monson Way?

He's going to wonder how the hell I know where he lives.

gumbald · 19 Jul 2008 at 18:08

Does he live a long way away?

Kristoph · 19 Jul 2008 at 18:12

I live in Somerset, he lives in Peterborough. Google maps says 193 miles, 3 hours 21 mins.

gumbald · 19 Jul 2008 at 18:16

Ask a friend to go on a road trip with you and just turn up.

If it's for principle, the petrol won't matter.

Kristoph · 19 Jul 2008 at 22:54

Hmm I just remembered something.

I'm the main tenant for dealing with the deposit protection and how it should be divided at the end of our tenancy.

I wonder if I'd be within my rights to withhold £150 of his remaining deposit to reimburse myself and the other two tenants for having to pay his bills?

Tute · 19 Jul 2008 at 22:59

mp3kla said:
Hmm I just remembered something.

I'm the main tenant for dealing with the deposit protection and how it should be divided at the end of our tenancy.

I wonder if I'd be within my rights to withhold £150 of his remaining deposit to reimburse myself and the other two tenants for having to pay his bills?

There's your answer.

Pestilence · 19 Jul 2008 at 23:00

That's what I'd do.

Just pay the rest of this existing bill and leave him out of it.

Take his deposit money and split it between you for what he owes. Should he then decide to turn nasty, there's not a leg he can stand on should he threaten Small Claims.

Vixen · 19 Jul 2008 at 23:24

Have you tried speaking to his parents? Some people can act like complete tools, but their parents don't always agree with their actions and will harass them until they sort themselves out.