My boyfriend has been sued by his former landlord for a total of $1360.00. So my boyfriend and I just finally paid the whole total amount off the other day. Now how to we go about getting the other roommates to pay us back for unpaid electric bills/cable and their share of the rent. We sent out letters informing that they all had a period of time before we take them to small claims court. Only one of the roommates were on the lease with my boyfriend the other two were just living there on verbal agreements. Is there not another way besides court??
2007-04-07 05:11:20 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
I was not living there at the time and I wouldn't be dumb enough not to take a written notice from someone living in my house..but thats my boyfriend for ya. So end the end I had to help him pay for it because we are together. And I told him no one would ever live in our house with us. So I just hope this whole thing teaches him a lesson..but it hurt our pockets at the same time.
2007-04-07 05:47:30 · update #1
Yes, there is, but it is not binding! If you are in some states, you'll be foreced to do this before going to court anyway. You can try Non-Binding Mediation or Non-Binding Arbitration. These are cheaper forms of dispute resolution. BUT, they're non-binding. I personally think that in some cases, it can be useful, but that it's normally a total waste of time. If you know they won't settle, and are not required to try alternative dispute resolution first, then go ahead and sue. BUT, go talk to an attorney in your area. I NEVER advise anyone to try to sue without an attorney.
2007-04-07 05:18:27 · answer #1 · answered by cyanne2ak 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Let's set aside the propsect of going to small claims court since you are looking for a non-court alternative.
The question you want to ask is: where in their lives, jobs, or relationships are the roommates most vulnerable to pressure? Look for the pressure points.
What might these be? Well, it very much depends on the people and their situation, how well your boyfriend knows them, how he knows them and so on.
That said, here are some general suggestions.
(1) Hound the roommates with calls, letters, visits (including visits at work) until they pay. Be a squeaky wheel. Approach them in situations in which they will be uncomfortable, as when they are on a first date. If they don't have the money right then, get them to sign a paper saying they will pay you in 3, 5 or 7 days.
(2) Contact their parents and keep contacting them. Squeak loud and often.
(3) Contact other relatives of theirs. Squeak broadly. You have "right" on your side.
(4) Enlist three mutual friends to tell them to pay up.
(5) Depending on the their type of workplace, make yourself a pest there.
(6) If there is a school or similar connection between your boyfriend and the roommates, ask the institution to provide mediation of the dispute.
(7) Do any of them have a state vocational license, such as a plumber's license or an insurance agent's license? Check out the ethical standards of the licensing board and see if you can file a complaint. (You'll get paid within 48 hours, I'd bet.)
(8) Find out from the landlord how "rent skips" are recorded in your community. Put together a credible threat of reporting the miscreants.
If you were to do to small claims court, I'd first go after the roommate who signed the lease. That's a no-hassel case.
By the way, a verbal agreement on a question like this is enforceable; it's just more cumbersome to prove than a signature on a paper.
2007-04-07 05:50:35 · answer #2 · answered by John W 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
regrettably even as a resources is broken or the employ isn't paid , it really is the only duty of the guy/those who're indexed on the employ. in case you could instruct that you signed the employ over to a special team of folk then you really have a criminal case yet when there is not any written information between all activities that you've been now no longer to blame for the resources or the employ then it is your duty to reimburse the owner. Tenants who harm resources or do no longer pay their employ are black indexed for 5 - 7 years relying on the state. which means in case you attempt to employ yet another resources it really is on the descretion of the agent/landlord on the time in the journey that they take a probability renting to you.
2016-11-27 01:15:50 · answer #3 · answered by swarn 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take him to court that is the only way.
2007-04-07 05:24:51 · answer #4 · answered by Mary O 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
2 ways:
First they are honest enough to pay you
Second you take them to small claims court...sorry no other way.
2007-04-07 05:41:51 · answer #5 · answered by Dr. Luv 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
small claims court
2007-04-07 05:16:33 · answer #6 · answered by skcs11 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tommy Donnelly could take care of that for you.
2007-04-07 05:26:56 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Welcome to the Real World, where so-called " friends" are too happy to stiff you. This is life-- trust NOBODY's Word-- get EVERYTHING on paper and don't count on your friends.
2007-04-07 05:32:54 · answer #8 · answered by ladsmrt 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋