Posted on 01/16/2023 11:20:12 AM PST by where's_the_Outrage?
Dear Quentin, I find myself facing an issue that is rather complex, and I am not sure what to do. I live with two roommates, and during the pandemic we didn’t pay any utility bills thanks to a moratorium that allowed us to amass debt with no interest. We split the electric bill equally, but it’s in my name only.
The rub is that we are all moving out in February, and per our moratorium agreement, we’re not obligated to pay the bill until 2024. I’m concerned that one of my roommates will just drop communication when it comes time to pay, given that the bill is in my name.
One roommate ignored my requests for payment for other expenses for four months in a row this year. Their job situation is much better than it was then, but they never communicated or apologized for stiffing me. I made sacrifices and fronted the money, thinking they would eventually pay me back.
My roommates are younger than me, and I don’t want to hurt their credit by suing in small-claims court. I truly want to see them succeed despite how much they bother me personally. On the flip side, it would be nice not to have to pay their share of the $1,600 bill.
(Excerpt) Read more at msn.com ...
My brother is an attorney for many years, near 50, and countless times, I have discussed a problem as either an intellectual quandary or something that actually affected me, and BLAM, he states or encapsulates the solution.
“The bell tolls for thee, Grossbard!”
The bill tolls for He, sucker!
do I have a case against them in small claims court?
Yes. Your description altogether indicates that there is —at least— an implicit contract between you and the roommates. That implicit contract is palpable from the roommates’ subsequent conduct, which includes —but is not necessarily limited to— their excuses and promises.
Although there is no written contract between you and the roommates, evidence that you have paid utilities in full places on your roommates the burden of disproving the default (and common sense) presumption that bills would be split among all four roommates.
Kid needs to man up, he made the choice.
“pay them $1500 to get out”
I have did this a long time ago with a tenant. It is certainly not gratifying, but often tactics like this are the easiest and cheapest solution. If you want gratification, cut them (and the IRS) a 1099 for that $1500 and the back rent and let the revenuers have at them. Also, now you can deduct it as a business expense (but please consult with your accountant first!).
What if the roommates say they gave him the money and they don’t know what he did with it?
Don’t use your credit card they’ll probably call it a cash advance , ouch
I would have gotten a girl to call his GF and tell her to quit talking to her BF
Tool. Yeah. You didn’t HAVE to pay, but those KWH’s keep racking up. You could have easily paid it the whole time, but tried to get away with not paying. Then found out you had to pay. Fool.
Being as it was in his name. He could have had it shut off as soon as his roommates did not pay.
I got news for him, it’s in his name, he opened the account and he is stuck with paying it. If he doesn’t it goes against his Credit Report. He can try and sue in small claims, but without any proof they agreed to help pay the bill he may be stuck.
Better get on a payment plan and figure it out.
Call Bill Handel, Handel on the Law Radio show and you will get your answer.
Nice reference.
Classic episode — Super saver fares, George has a “blurb”, Kramer running on the runway as Jerry looks out the window, ala Twilight Zone.....and on and on.....
This is where friends in low places come in handy. Time to call in favors.
Take it The People’s Court.
Take it to The People’s Court.
Try Judge Judy. You may get bitched and called stupid but you might get some money.
Great point on the 1099. Just do it after they leave and before year end.
What a moron
Looks like we’ve got a moochy homo wanting to skip out on it’s bills.
Lock it up, and all it’s gay pals too.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.