Hello,
I have a problem that is in regards to collecting money that is owed to me. I had a friend for several years and she came upon hard times and could not afford her own apartment. I had an extra room in my apartment and told her that she could stay there for a few weeks until she could get back on her feet. This was last July (2007). I allowed her to stay until the end of August (rent free). I then asked her if whe wanted to move in permanently and split the rent and utilities. She did want to. She did not sign the lease because that would have renewed it for another year, however, the apartment is an illegal apartment (I don't know if that makes any difference). We were living together with very minimal problems and were very close friends. In the begining of June (2008) she lost her job and and was having trouble finding a new one. I told her that I would loan her the money for rent and utilities and other random expenses until she could find a job. In the middle of July she called me and told me that she was moving to PA, I missed the call and attempted to call her back several times. She would not return my calls. I waited at the apartment knowing that she would come to pick up her things. I had a typed up piece of paper documenting all of the money she owed me and for what($800), also when that money would be paid (August 17). My sister witnessed her sign the paper agreeing and both my sister and myself signed.
I went back to the apartment hours later and realized that she had taken almost nothing with her. (she had left all her furniture, most of her clothes etc.). I called her and told her that she needed to remove all her belongings or she would have to continue to pay rent until she did so. She told me that she intended to return to the apartment in a month and would pay any rent that she owed during the time that she was gone. I spoke with her once and during this conversation she told me she was working and making money and going to be able to pay me back, she said she would send the money within a week. I told her that she would need to continue paying rent until she came to get her things out of the apartment if it turned out she was going to be their longer. She agreed.
A little over a week went by and I had received no money and no phone call from her. I began to try to call her. I called her over 12 times and left several messages. I also sent text messages (to document that I was trying to reach her) and I have the phone logs. She never picked up or called me back. At some point her mother sent me a text message saying that 'melanie was working hard to pay back the money that was owed." After about a week of this I left a message with an ultimatum that if she did not call me back or send the money I would begin to look into small claims court. Finally she talked with my father and confirmed with him that she owed me the money. She did not say when she would give it.
The main problem I have is that I do not have her address in PA, all I know is that she lives in Doylestown. I also do not know the name of the restaurant that she works for. I do have cell phone numbers for both her mother and herself. I have melanies SSN#. Some people are advising me to just drop the matter. For me it is not so much about the money (1,200 with written and verbal agreements), I was just such a good friend to her and I don't want her to feel like she can get away with this and am willing to put the time and the effort into taking this to court, I am just not sure what to do and would greatly appreciate any advice. Thank you so much!
K.C.
I have a problem that is in regards to collecting money that is owed to me. I had a friend for several years and she came upon hard times and could not afford her own apartment. I had an extra room in my apartment and told her that she could stay there for a few weeks until she could get back on her feet. This was last July (2007). I allowed her to stay until the end of August (rent free). I then asked her if whe wanted to move in permanently and split the rent and utilities. She did want to. She did not sign the lease because that would have renewed it for another year, however, the apartment is an illegal apartment (I don't know if that makes any difference). We were living together with very minimal problems and were very close friends. In the begining of June (2008) she lost her job and and was having trouble finding a new one. I told her that I would loan her the money for rent and utilities and other random expenses until she could find a job. In the middle of July she called me and told me that she was moving to PA, I missed the call and attempted to call her back several times. She would not return my calls. I waited at the apartment knowing that she would come to pick up her things. I had a typed up piece of paper documenting all of the money she owed me and for what($800), also when that money would be paid (August 17). My sister witnessed her sign the paper agreeing and both my sister and myself signed.
I went back to the apartment hours later and realized that she had taken almost nothing with her. (she had left all her furniture, most of her clothes etc.). I called her and told her that she needed to remove all her belongings or she would have to continue to pay rent until she did so. She told me that she intended to return to the apartment in a month and would pay any rent that she owed during the time that she was gone. I spoke with her once and during this conversation she told me she was working and making money and going to be able to pay me back, she said she would send the money within a week. I told her that she would need to continue paying rent until she came to get her things out of the apartment if it turned out she was going to be their longer. She agreed.
A little over a week went by and I had received no money and no phone call from her. I began to try to call her. I called her over 12 times and left several messages. I also sent text messages (to document that I was trying to reach her) and I have the phone logs. She never picked up or called me back. At some point her mother sent me a text message saying that 'melanie was working hard to pay back the money that was owed." After about a week of this I left a message with an ultimatum that if she did not call me back or send the money I would begin to look into small claims court. Finally she talked with my father and confirmed with him that she owed me the money. She did not say when she would give it.
The main problem I have is that I do not have her address in PA, all I know is that she lives in Doylestown. I also do not know the name of the restaurant that she works for. I do have cell phone numbers for both her mother and herself. I have melanies SSN#. Some people are advising me to just drop the matter. For me it is not so much about the money (1,200 with written and verbal agreements), I was just such a good friend to her and I don't want her to feel like she can get away with this and am willing to put the time and the effort into taking this to court, I am just not sure what to do and would greatly appreciate any advice. Thank you so much!
K.C.
