is there anything I can do?

Question

my friend has been staying in my house in Tennessee, while I have been away at school on Arizona. I just sold the house, and when I called to shut everything off, I found out that she has been paying the bills for the last 3 months. The agreement was that when she moved in she would take care of things while I was gone, which included paying the utilities. Is there anything I can do, so that she is made to pay them?

I meant that she didn't pay the bills, they are way passed due.

Answer 1

I am assuming you meant your friend has not been paying the bills. You may or may not be able to do anything depending on a couple of items. Did she sign a lease? Are the utilities in her name or yours? If she didn't sign a lease and the utilities are in your name, then you are left holding the bag, I believe. I suppose you could try small claims court, but even there you would need to show proof of your arrangement with your friend. Hopefully, since she is your friend, she will pay you back when she has the funds to do so. I'd suggest talking to her. Make sure she didn't have any work done on the house that she didn't pay. You don't want any liens placed on your property.

Answer 2

Sounds like a lead in to the peoples court
Well ole friend is going to say she was house sitting for you and now you want them to pay this big bill
you say they were basically living rent free and owe the money
The ruling since all real estate contracts must be in writing to be enforceable ;you are stuck.

Answer 3

If you had a written agreement as to what she was responsible for, this would do two things one make her responsible and two save your credit rating, if not you are basically screwed

Answer 4

What are you complaining about...sounds like she held up her end of the deal...She PAID the bills.

Answer 5

You're stuck with them if they were in your name. You could sue her - might or might not be worth it if she's broke.