I let a friend of mine move into my apartment with me rent free in April. I just had paid the rent which was $575 ... the only thing she ever paid for while living there was her food. We have both then since moved out of the apartment. She only stayed there 1 month. She now owes me for the month she lived there $182 dollars which includes... power,water, phone, internet, and things of that nature. She is posting public things about me on the internet on different websites. And everything that she is saying about the apartment situation is a lie. She is asking people if they think she should pay the money to me. Isn't this illegal to go around bashing peoples character? What would you do? I am going to file a civil case against her next week for the money she owes me. Do you think I should get a lawyer and let him deal with it since she is making such a big deal about it?
2006-06-30 16:53:32 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
ok for everyone who is saying she was " my girlfriend " no I said a friend. Thats all she was. I'm a girl .. shes a girl.. I don't do girls sorry. As far as anything else goes. We had a verbal agreement that she would split the costs. She isn't denying the charges that I am saying she owes. She is just trying to JUSTIFY why she doesn't think she should have to pay it. From what I was told by the court clerk .. any agreement .. signed or verbal is a legal agreement in court. So stop calling me a little girl with nothing better to do because I'm not.
2006-06-30 18:40:34 · update #1
do file the civil suit against her, bashing im not so sure is illegal but it could be thrown into court when proving her case but whether she's bashing the way i see it she may be getting the laugh now but when she looses you'll get the last laugh. Good luck i hope that helped.
2006-06-30 16:59:03 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your case seems kind of weak, but I would begin collecting evidence if you plan on taking her to court (print the websites she has defamed you on, things of that nature)
Your defamation case will probably be stronger than your case regarding the bills because you can show proof that she is calling you names in public, that is illegal, that is called defamation of character.
As far as the bills are concerned, your case is not very strong because you didnt have her on the lease for the apartment. The reason I say the lease is because if you can show that she is on a lease, then she should be paying atleast the electric bill. However, since HER name is probably not on ANY of the bills, she will probably not be held liable for the bills.
I have had this happen to me and unless her name is on the lease, any utility that is paid for by the tenants must be paid for by the tenants, and on paper, that is YOU and ONLY YOU. I know it sucks, but thats the law. Good luck, chalk it up to experience.
PS. A lawyer is not worth the costs, the costs of a lawyer will far outweigh your benefits of having one for this type of case.
2006-06-30 17:12:59 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
ok what you need to do is print out copies of what she is posting. also if you let the friend move in rent free did you have an agreement that they would not have to pay for the utilities also was that ever discused? dont get an lawyer just go to small calims court. have all the bills with you as well as the copies of the web sight
2006-06-30 18:24:58 · answer #3 · answered by Coconuts 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First off... don't go to a lawyer! If you sue for the 182.00$ then you would be out of even more money just buy paying off the lawyer! Second off, yes, if what she is saying is hurting your rep. so to say and is lies than it is considered slander and can stand in court. Third, I would go to a public court like Judge Judy or something like that! That way you don't haft to pay for the lawyer, you get on TV, and you get to have a judge bestow you with justice! Personally though, i would go to judge Mathis... or what ever the black judge's name is... hes smart and he is a great judge as long as your not lying to him! Good luck!
2006-06-30 17:03:49 · answer #4 · answered by Dean 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
how old are you?are you a young woman out on her own learning about life and about how people that call us friends can really get under our skin,and sadly take advantage of us?then yes you need to tough it out.dont get a lawyer yet.you will know whento get a lawyer.
OR are you an older woman that has really a hell of alot bett er things to do then cater to the needs of anothers stupid crap?either way.get on with it. hope nobody does calla anything other then legal advice.......sorry you hand to deal with this in such a childish ways
2006-06-30 17:13:18 · answer #5 · answered by cowgirlprincess08210 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The cost of a lawyer would be way over $182. Cut your losses, spare yourself any further emotional anguish and let it go. That will bother her more than anything else. She no longer exists.
2006-06-30 17:17:38 · answer #6 · answered by KERMIT M 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If there's nothing in writing you may or may not get it. You could say the agreement was to split it - she could say she never said that. You could go to small claims but it's hard to say what the ruling would be - take all copies of bills. But it sounds like for the $ you're well to be rid of her.
2006-06-30 18:22:01 · answer #7 · answered by Jan H 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can probably get some $ for harassment, too, but you have to be able to prove it. It's called defamation of character, and no, it's not a crime, but you can sue for it. If you think you can win, but since you are going to court anyway, throw it in there. Talk to your lawyer first, though.
2006-06-30 16:58:17 · answer #8 · answered by rinehartstacy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If she moved in there as a girl friend you will not have a case to collect the money
2006-06-30 17:21:56 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would get a lawyer but i am not an expert in these time of situations. She must not be a true friend.
2006-06-30 16:58:35 · answer #10 · answered by Sugar Cookie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋