Should I pay my landlord?

Question

I owed him $500 when I moved out 4 yrs ago. I never signed a lease so he cannot take me to court to make me pay it and I haven't heard from him since. However, I told him I would and sometimes I see him around town and it's kind of embarrassing. I've been watching "My Name Is Earl" and it's got me thinking maybe I should do the right thing so karma doesn't punish me. On the other hand it is a lot of money for me that I could really use.

Answer 1

Yes, I would pay him. It's nice of him that he didn't take you to small claims court to collect it.

I know it's a lot of money, but how much is your word and honor worth to you? If you can't afford to pay him all at once, why not $10/week for a year? That would do it.

I saw someone else suggested you ask if there's another way to pay your debt to him, to keep your karma balanced. That's a nice thought. Why not ask him if you can work it off? Maybe you can help him fix up the property on weekends, or something. Who knows, you may make a new friend that way. Working it off for him on weekends would only take a few months, you'd have a clean conscience, he'd get some valuable help, and you might be able to learn some new skills about building maintenance, gardening, painting, whatever. That would help both of you out.

Answer 2

Get his phone number and pay him in installments. He might need the money more than you do and plus not paying people is a quick way to ruin your rep, when you do have the funds to pay them back. $50 or $100 here and there until you finish paying out the $500 is better than nothing at all. Or wait until income tax return time, that's when I pay off lingering debts.

Answer 3

If you watch My Name Is Earl, then you know what you need to do! Else, you're going to win the lottery and get hit by a car. You don't want that to happen. Pay back the money!

Answer 4

Who told you that because you didn't have a lease you don't have to pay. If he can prove you were living there and he can unless you can prove you lived somewhere else. If he doesn't sue keep your money. If he does pay up before it goes to court, because you'll be the one paying any court cost. I'm a landlord.

Answer 5

You should pay it. Even if you don't have teh whole thing to give him, give him a little at a time and keep records! Not only is it the right thing to do, but you did have a verbal contract. You're lucky he didn't take you to civil court for the money.

Answer 6

Nice Phyllis Diller avatar.

The right thing to do doesn't depend on legalities. If it's been 4 years it doesn't sound like you're too worried about it.

On the other hand if you're an alcoholic this would be one of the steps in the program, to right the people you've wronged.

Answer 7

You do owe the money. It is a lot. Perhaps you could ask him if he would accept it in small installments. Then you'd feel better, he'd be a little better off, and your Karma would improve.

Answer 8

I would advise you to return it to him. Otherwise it will haunt you for the rest of your life. I owe somebody for a glass of wine about 20 years ago and I still think about it all this time. I hope she forgives me. So I suggest you do the right thing before it is too late.

Answer 9

It all depends on if you value your good word. You made a promise, you owe the money, it shouldn't take a really stupid TV show (that I watched all of once for 10 minutes) to shake your conscience.

Answer 10

Yes, I think you should. It's only right. Do a payment plan like others have suggested, so that it's not this huge amount of money all at once that you are paying out.