need advice on dealing with a freeloader
 

I messed up and rented a room out to a guy w/o a lease or payment. He has left a few weeks ago and the asshole still has not paid me a single dime.


I think i'm screwed. any advice or possible scare tactics? I need the money bad.

Do you have anything in writing anywhere, including email? If not email him today about what is owed, if he admits to it in writing you have a case.

Just open a small claims case. And make sure that you always get security up front and something in writing in the future.

The woman who took his room paid me up front. :)

I have several witnesses but nothing on paper or email. My other roommate was his best friend until he pulled this shit.

She and a few others will easily give their word..

Damn, Loquitur might smack me down, but IIRC, a contract only needs offer, acceptance, and consideration. The only items that absolutely require writing are Marriage, Yearlong Contracts, Contracts for Land, Executorship, Guarantors, or Sale of Certain items beyond a statutory amount.

Here, if the 2 of you verbally agreed to a housing agreement (Offer: You come live here for $200/month, Acceptance: Sure, sounds good, Consideration: you let him rent out your room). You have a legally enforceable contract.

Look over some of the contract concepts on wikipedia and you can probably recover some of what you lost in small claims court.

Also, please don't file a grievance with my local bar in case I turn out to be wrong. :P

Yes, KirStang doesn't hang out at the bar. You can direct your complaints directly to the US Army, Attn: KirStang, PO Box isanybodystillreadingthis.

the bastard told me today 'i have other bills. wait in line. bye.
its on. i have been great to this kid, tried to help him but fuck it. no more mister nice Z.
ty for info. if anyone else has info let me know.

Seems your only legal option is to sue him in small claims court

I'd file already with small claims court. It is quick and painless.

It will then bring your stuff to the top and he will respond to you first and more than likely pay you first.

I have had to resort to using small claims several times in my life. I never lost a single case, though one I did not get the total judgment I expected but it was still fairer than anything else.

How long was he there freeloading, (one month, six months...) and how much did he stiff you for? Is this worth going after, or is it just "the principle of the thing?"

I did this once after having an auto accident with a guy who had no insurance. Got a default judgement --he never showed up at court.

But I never got any money.:sad: Getting a judgement and actually collecting it are, unfortunately, two different things.:shakehead:

Lindy

Yes, that's true. BUT you could have put a lien on any of his properties, tried to garnish his wages, or even sold the judgement to a collection agency.

Personally, I would just let it go, and chalk it up to experience.

I had no idea that the last one was even possible. If that's as simple as it sounds that would probably be the easiest route.