Room Mate failing to pay the bills... - Page 3

modette · 02-12-2007, 10:02 PM

People are too young here or not thinking. Why do anything to him to make him stop paying rent? That would be a stupid move, I would rather not have him pay for Utilities then have him just say F you and stop paying rent.

Would you rather be out xxx amount for Utilities or XXXX for rent plus Utilities. Going to court even small claims takes TIME, MONEY, and if rent is not paid could add up more then small claims allows.

bikology · 02-12-2007, 10:16 PM

Add MAC address restriction to the router.

Demand a deposit for the utilities that is as high as you think they will go.

Tell roommates that if they smoke inside or near the entrance to your non-smoking apartment they will have to pay for your allergist visits.

If you are of the same sex, it scares the shit out of them if they think you are gay/lesbian and they are straight. Joke about other forms of payment and watch the checkbook come out!

I have good roommates and we all get along. The bills are in my name, they pay me one check a month and I have a deposit for each of them (month's rent and utilities). if you do not respect my rules, your ass hits the curb and you'd better be running. I have had roommates leave, but the only problem ones I have had have all been vegetarians. No veggies, no problems. That's how I deal with it. Since I am female and currently have male roommates (I hate whiny bitches always asking me to kill bugs and change lightbulbs) the walking around the apartment naked scratching the ass trick doesn't work (I've never had to resort to it, since like Kazlab I am easy going until you push, then you see the other bikology). I find that somehow the enraged, tattooed, pierced, metal loving biker chick that knows how to remove their liver and grow them a new one is enough to scare some sense into all the people I have lived with so far. ;)

I think I have scared a few when I was cutting up a chicken too. Dunno why, I thought everyone knew joints cut easier if you pop them first. The veggies especially were disturbed by the pop 'n' chop.

bikology · 02-12-2007, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Krazy Hawaiian

Now that would have been priceless.

I don't live with friends for this reason. Few people can separate the business and friendship aspects of living under the same roof. But then, I live in one of the most educated areas of the country so finding roommates is simple. Grad students, professionals just starting out, professional students, and the like are all likely to respond to an add I put on craigslist. I also make it clear that I do not NEED roommates, they just make it easier for me to afford my hobbies. I will not put up with your shit in hopes that I can get your money.

kazlab67 · 02-12-2007, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by modette

People are too young here or not thinking. Why do anything to him to make him stop paying rent? That would be a stupid move, I would rather not have him pay for Utilities then have him just say F you and stop paying rent.

Would you rather be out xxx amount for Utilities or XXXX for rent plus Utilities. Going to court even small claims takes TIME, MONEY, and if rent is not paid could add up more then small claims allows.

Uh, can I move in with you?

BSeay · 02-12-2007, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coronadozx

how are you paying the bills? i.e. check, money order, credit card, automatic deductions etc.

start documenting this, and gather up past bills/receipts of payments and match them to your form of payment (canceled check). make a good case that shows you have made all the payments. once you have that, threaten to take him to small claims court. if he still doesn't pay, get a court date and take him to small claims court in order to present your argument(s) to the judge. judges are kind of smart people and if you prove that you're making the payments while your deadbeat roomdawg isn't, the verdict might be in your favor. at the very least, get a court date and if he doesn't show, then you win and a judgement is against him for what he owes.

good luck and let us know the outcome.

i keep all the bills, write down the date they are paid and they are also deposited into my account and made with automated deductions...

my other roommate (the girl) pays her bills whenever i ask for it..she calls mommy and daddy they cut the check no questions asked..

i itemize the bills, it's all completely laid out with the bills stapled to the back of the sheet..

kazlab67 · 02-12-2007, 11:43 PM

If you can get the other roommate to go to court with you and you have all the itemized bills and she swears that the other roommate agreed to pay 1/3rd of the bills, then you have a case for small claims court. Its only like $250. if you lose.

if she's never been to court, tell her it's the ultimate drama.

1quick1 · 02-12-2007, 11:50 PM

You never move in with people you don't trust completely. Period.

kazlab67 · 02-13-2007, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1quick1

You never move in with people you don't trust completely. Period.

And even then, you screen those people...

BSeay · 02-13-2007, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1quick1

You never move in with people you don't trust completely. Period.

Trust me this is a complete lesson learned...

because this bullshit isn't going to continue...

BSeay · 02-13-2007, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kazlab67

If you can get the other roommate to go to court with you and you have all the itemized bills and she swears that the other roommate agreed to pay 1/3rd of the bills, then you have a case for small claims court. Its only like $250. if you lose.

if she's never been to court, tell her it's the ultimate drama.

It's not like it's gonna be over anytime soon, i'm just gonna keep letting this shit slide until like a month before i move out...

then i'm gonna slap his ass with a court date and let him drop his teeth...

what he doesn't know is that i'm keeping his part of the deposit for failure to pay...

Endorphine · 02-13-2007, 05:24 AM

Wow, that's almost the same thing that happened to me, and the reason why i moved back home lol.

bugeyed · 02-13-2007, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kazlab67

If you can get the other roommate to go to court with you and you have all the itemized bills and she swears that the other roommate agreed to pay 1/3rd of the bills, then you have a case for small claims court. Its only like $250. if you lose.

if she's never been to court, tell her it's the ultimate drama.

People tend to think courts are the way to go, the sad truth is that even if you win, it doesn't mean you are going to get your money. Unless the court is willing to garnish wages or seize assets you are pretty much out of luck. And assets can be hidden and jobs can be changed. I have a family member who is a landlord, he has yet to see a dime of any judgment he won against delinquent tenants who failed to make rent or damaged the property in the 10 years he has been a landlord. To him it's a waste of money to even take these people to court as it costs him more than he would ever hope to see.
Bottom line is that courts are useless for getting recouping your costs, they are useful in getting someone evicted.

bikology · 02-13-2007, 08:02 AM

But with an outstanding judgement, good luck getting credit! Yup, sooner or later most people want to buy a house or car and they are better off paying you than some super expensive and seedy finance company.

Roommates are still far less drama than my parents, trust me! Having good ones helps a lot with that.

bugeyed · 02-13-2007, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikology

But with an outstanding judgement, good luck getting credit! Yup, sooner or later most people want to buy a house or car and they are better off paying you than some super expensive and seedy finance company.

Roommates are still far less drama than my parents, trust me! Having good ones helps a lot with that.

People aren't deterred by credit ratings, the only people who care about that are the ones responsible to pay what they owe you in the first place. Ask any landlord with experience, they tell you that you will probably never see a dime of money you are owed. Good business sense dictates that you be careful who you get into financial straits with in the first place, BEFORE you lose your money. After the money is out of your hands, its gone.

bikology · 02-13-2007, 08:57 AM

Better to check their credit and history first, yes. But there is some small hope of having a judgement paid. Especially if they are the young professional type, which is usually what I look for in roommates.