hi, i'm in a tricky situation and would really like some advice.
i had a lodger who on moving in wasnt able to afford the deposit. he seemed like a nice guy so i allowed him to move in as he guaranteed he would be able to as soon as he was paid.
the guy kept putting that off, and then began putting the rent and paying bills off, which i allowed a lot longer than was wise as he seemed like a genuine guy having a difficult time with money, and he was expecting a big pay check, which he has now received (faceboook status). then he decided to move out without any notice owing me over £300. and as a slap in the face also stole my sleeping bag and sheets which i lent him.
he now wont answer his phone and i dont have his new address, but i do know where he works. if i was able to get his address i could try small claims court (although i expect he would just leave the country as he regularly complained about wanting to leave and go travelling).
i realise i've been naive, what options are available to me now?
i was thinking about threatening to go to his work and ask his boss for the address, which i understand would put his job in jeopardy - but perhaps the threat would be enough. or perhaps to follow him home after work one day.
any help would be a huge help, before i do something stupid.
thank you so much, Andy
additional: the contract he signed said one months notice minimum (although the room was filled 4 days after he left). he was paying cash and i didnt get receipts, but i have saved sms conversations about how much he owed which he never contested. i think that would be enough to convince a judge in small claims court. he did change rooms during his time here (which was a favour to him) which he claims made the contract invalid, although the wording makes no claim to a specific room so i dont believe that is an issue.
also he kept a set of house keys which i find very worrying.
i had a lodger who on moving in wasnt able to afford the deposit. he seemed like a nice guy so i allowed him to move in as he guaranteed he would be able to as soon as he was paid.
the guy kept putting that off, and then began putting the rent and paying bills off, which i allowed a lot longer than was wise as he seemed like a genuine guy having a difficult time with money, and he was expecting a big pay check, which he has now received (faceboook status). then he decided to move out without any notice owing me over £300. and as a slap in the face also stole my sleeping bag and sheets which i lent him.
he now wont answer his phone and i dont have his new address, but i do know where he works. if i was able to get his address i could try small claims court (although i expect he would just leave the country as he regularly complained about wanting to leave and go travelling).
i realise i've been naive, what options are available to me now?
i was thinking about threatening to go to his work and ask his boss for the address, which i understand would put his job in jeopardy - but perhaps the threat would be enough. or perhaps to follow him home after work one day.
any help would be a huge help, before i do something stupid.
thank you so much, Andy
additional: the contract he signed said one months notice minimum (although the room was filled 4 days after he left). he was paying cash and i didnt get receipts, but i have saved sms conversations about how much he owed which he never contested. i think that would be enough to convince a judge in small claims court. he did change rooms during his time here (which was a favour to him) which he claims made the contract invalid, although the wording makes no claim to a specific room so i dont believe that is an issue.
also he kept a set of house keys which i find very worrying.