Unpaid Rent

[adrums1999]

Last year my mate moved into my house with me for 6 months. I didnt get a written contract done out or anything because I thought I could trust her as I've known her for years.

She moved in and agreed to pay �80 per week on every friday. At first she paid me, but then the excuses started, she told me she couldnt pay becuase she had to pay "bills on her car" ,and "she didnt get paid" that week, or she "didn't get enough hours" that week.

At first I gave her some slack, but then as the weeks went by, I became more and more irritated, and fed up, untill one day I physically moved EVERYTHING she had in my house into my garage, and told her to move out if she didnt pay up. She moved away soon after that.

This was a year ago now, To this day she still owes me money. I do kick myself for not having a written contract done at the time.

But does anyone know if there's anything I could do legally to get my money back?

I do have a few letters that have come through the post with her name on them, proving she did live here, but that's about it. :o(

any advice would be great, thanks guys.

[jennyp]

I don't really know, but I would think it would be a case of put it down to experience, and unfortunately, learn a harsh lesson from it. On the positive side, at least she left without too much of a fuss.Friends & money don't mix.

[Eve]

How much does she owe you? You could try and take her to court but you woudl need evidence that you had formed a binding contract.

If verbal it is her word against yours and difficult to prove. If shes broke then it may be hard to recover the debt even if the court rules in your favour and makes an order against her.

Speak to the CAB and take the figures and any evidence of an agreement you have with you eg time she was there, payments made, receipts, anything written such a notes referring to her paying rents or towards bil (did you have any agreement about bils or did you just sort them). Also bear in mind any other proof of conduct which would suggest an agreement with rent payable was in place.

They may be able to advise you on whether you could have a decent claim and help you if so.

http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/

Be careful though as you didn't seem to get rid of her in accordance with the law and you need to be careful of any counterclaim or mitigation. Best to discuss this with CAB as well in case you may be opening a can of worms and incurring costs you won't recover.

May be you just have to put this one down to experience.

[adrums1999]

thanks for your advice guys, much appreciated :o)