I lived with two other roommates last summer in a duplex. Two months over the summer I had to work out of state in Maine at a camp. We had agreed that while I was gone I would send rent, but not money for utilities, since I was not using them. A couple of the utility bills were in my name. I even have emails where the roommates have agreed in writing that this was the situation. When I got back to the duplex, everything was a mess. First of all, they had trashed the place with parties all summer. Secondly, the landlord was threatening eviction because they hadn't been paying their share of the rent, and portions of the rent I had sent they had used on God only knows what else.
I spoke to the landlord and tried smoothing things out, apologizing for their behavior, and explaining the situation. The landlord said she wouldn't evict if the apartment was cleaned and we were out in two weeks.
Now brings me to the utilities portion. These undesirable roommates hadn't paid the electric bill in two months and it was an outstanding balance of around $500 dollars after late fees, etc. They hadn't paid the water bill, and it was around $200 dollars. Also I lost my $100 deposit, and they hadn't paid the cable/internet bill that was about $300. I ended up having to take all the money I had earned working over the summer and pay off their debts. One of my roommates has paid me back in full, however, the other roommate still refuses to pay a dime.
It has been almost a year now, and every time I threaten to take her to court she says she is sending a money order asap. This has happened about 6 times and I still have nothing from her.
I feel I have given her plenty of time, if not more than she deserves.
What can I sue for? Only my lost deposits and money on the utilities, or can I also reasonably sue for the moving costs I had to expend as a result of their carelessness?
I spoke to the landlord and tried smoothing things out, apologizing for their behavior, and explaining the situation. The landlord said she wouldn't evict if the apartment was cleaned and we were out in two weeks.
Now brings me to the utilities portion. These undesirable roommates hadn't paid the electric bill in two months and it was an outstanding balance of around $500 dollars after late fees, etc. They hadn't paid the water bill, and it was around $200 dollars. Also I lost my $100 deposit, and they hadn't paid the cable/internet bill that was about $300. I ended up having to take all the money I had earned working over the summer and pay off their debts. One of my roommates has paid me back in full, however, the other roommate still refuses to pay a dime.
It has been almost a year now, and every time I threaten to take her to court she says she is sending a money order asap. This has happened about 6 times and I still have nothing from her.
I feel I have given her plenty of time, if not more than she deserves.
What can I sue for? Only my lost deposits and money on the utilities, or can I also reasonably sue for the moving costs I had to expend as a result of their carelessness?
