Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

My roommates and I have not paid our $1,600 electricity bill thanks to a pandemic-era moratorium. It’s in my name only — and we move out in February. What can I do?
Marketwatch ^ | Jan 14, 2023 | Quentin Fottrell

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 ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Chit/Chat; Society
KEYWORDS: moratorium; pandemic; paythebill
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-96 next last
To: blackdog

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.


61 posted on 01/16/2023 12:22:38 PM PST by Attention Surplus Disorder (Apoplectic is where we want them)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 57 | View Replies]

To: SaveFerris

“The bell tolls for thee, Grossbard!”

The bill tolls for He, sucker!


62 posted on 01/16/2023 12:24:14 PM PST by wetgundog
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: Attention Surplus Disorder

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.

https://law.stackexchange.com/questions/46857/roommates-arent-paying-utilities-can-i-take-them-to-small-claims-court


63 posted on 01/16/2023 12:25:59 PM PST by TexasGator (!!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 56 | View Replies]

To: where's_the_Outrage?

Kid needs to man up, he made the choice.


64 posted on 01/16/2023 12:28:01 PM PST by reviled downesdad (Some of the lost will never believe the Truth.Rinos)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: blackdog

“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!).


65 posted on 01/16/2023 12:32:27 PM PST by beef (Say NO to the WOE (War On Energy))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

To: Mr. K

What if the roommates say they gave him the money and they don’t know what he did with it?


66 posted on 01/16/2023 12:35:46 PM PST by gitmo (If your theology doesn't become your biography, what good is it?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: where's_the_Outrage?

Don’t use your credit card they’ll probably call it a cash advance , ouch


67 posted on 01/16/2023 12:39:49 PM PST by butlerweave
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: woodbutcher1963

I would have gotten a girl to call his GF and tell her to quit talking to her BF


68 posted on 01/16/2023 12:42:53 PM PST by AppyPappy (Biden told Al Roker "America is back". Unfortunately, he meant back to the 1970's)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: where's_the_Outrage?

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.


69 posted on 01/16/2023 12:45:24 PM PST by vpintheak (Live free, or die!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: where's_the_Outrage?

Being as it was in his name. He could have had it shut off as soon as his roommates did not pay.


70 posted on 01/16/2023 12:49:45 PM PST by Revel
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: where's_the_Outrage?

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.


71 posted on 01/16/2023 12:52:56 PM PST by Captain Peter Blood
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: where's_the_Outrage?

Call Bill Handel, Handel on the Law Radio show and you will get your answer.


72 posted on 01/16/2023 12:58:51 PM PST by Captain Peter Blood
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SaveFerris

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.....


73 posted on 01/16/2023 1:01:27 PM PST by The FIGHTIN Illini ("Let Us Never Forget What They Have Done")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: where's_the_Outrage?

This is where friends in low places come in handy. Time to call in favors.


74 posted on 01/16/2023 1:11:28 PM PST by tired&retired (Blessings )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: where's_the_Outrage?

Take it The People’s Court.


75 posted on 01/16/2023 1:11:41 PM PST by Republican Wildcat
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: where's_the_Outrage?

Take it to The People’s Court.


76 posted on 01/16/2023 1:11:55 PM PST by Republican Wildcat
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Mr. K

Try Judge Judy. You may get bitched and called stupid but you might get some money.


77 posted on 01/16/2023 1:22:42 PM PST by RetiredTexasVet (Biden not only suffers fools and criminals, he appoints them to positions of responsibility. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: beef

Great point on the 1099. Just do it after they leave and before year end.


78 posted on 01/16/2023 1:40:40 PM PST by alternatives? (The only reason to have an army is to defend your borders.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 65 | View Replies]

To: where's_the_Outrage?

What a moron


79 posted on 01/16/2023 1:43:57 PM PST by VastRWCon (Fake News")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: where's_the_Outrage?

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.


80 posted on 01/16/2023 1:46:11 PM PST by humblegunner
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-96 next last

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.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson