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What can you do if someone owes you money but not giving it back?

I lent someone on my course £300 for a deposit, yes i know.....stupid.

He reckons that he hasn't had his student loan/grant through yet,. I am starting to doubt him as he has no letters from the loan company he can show me and its been 6 weeks now.

I need to pay my rent or i'm homless.

what options do I have.

The amount is too small for small claims court.
The police cant help because i lent the cash.
Mediation services are too expensive for the amount invloved.
I tempted to use voilence but thats only gonna make things worse.

Help?

Published by moody l at 6:48pm on Wed 12th November 2008. Viewed 19,825 times.

"There is no minimum amount.

The Court fee for a claim up to £300 is £30. If you win, you would be entitled to get this back from the defendant.

The only problem is that even if you win, you may have difficulty in getting the money back from the individual. However as it is a small amount they may pay up rather than having a CCJ against them."

Published by greenmindgigs at 6:51pm on Wed 12th November 2008.

will I need a lawyer to sort this out for me, surely its expensive?
or will he ( the debtor) be paying the legal fees, mine included?

Published by moody l at 6:54pm on Wed 12th November 2008.

Published by greenmindgigs at 6:55pm on Wed 12th November 2008.

hmmm, quite long winded, can't see me getting my money back using that system

Published by moody l at 7:16pm on Wed 12th November 2008.

Keep turning up at his every day and demand the money. Also get very angry every time and menacing as if you are going to hit him, put on an act. The bottom line he owes you money and will not pay unless you do or appear you are going to do something drastic to him.

Published by daggg at 7:18pm on Wed 12th November 2008.

so......make a scene in front of his mates...okay, I can do that.

Published by moody l at 7:46pm on Wed 12th November 2008.

I applied to the small claims court when my wanker ex failed to repay me £800 he owed me. He replied to the court letter with a defence which was full of bullshit. When I pointed out that he was lying to a court of law, he paid up. I'd say it's worth a try to see if it scares him into it.

Published by katemac at 8:06pm on Wed 12th November 2008.

mmm, I prefer a more direct approach, plus I need to pay rent before the end of the month or i shall be on the streets for xmas.

Brrr!

Published by moody l at 8:13pm on Wed 12th November 2008.

you can ask your friend to show the progress of the student loan online

Published by chandra at 8:24pm on Wed 12th November 2008.

Just be careful you don't do anything that could be construed as blackmail or you could get yourself into trouble.

Published by katemac at 8:27pm on Wed 12th November 2008.

yeah, sure..........he reckons he has no letters from the loan company, which seems strange as if they haven't paid you yet, you'd have some letters from them, also now he refuses to tell me where he lives.

So I've said that I'm gonna let everyone at uni know about the situation and start leaving messages about his actions on the facebook groups he's a member of

Published by moody l at 8:47pm on Wed 12th November 2008.

Bat

"mmm, I prefer a more direct approach, plus I need to pay rent before the end of the month or i shall be on the streets for xmas."

Published by sooth at 8:51pm on Wed 12th November 2008.

Have you asked if he can pay you back in installments? A bit now so your rent is sorted out and then the rest when he's sorted, but this time write it down and agree it.

Could you remind him about the money when you're both in company, a little bit of public humiliation and some added guilt isn't a bad policy.

Do you have a tutor or someone who can mediate if it still goes on?

Published by MsSmith (not active) at 8:52pm on Wed 12th November 2008.

i had exactly the same thing happen when i was at uni, except the amount was half. fortunately, i knew that he (through the help of one of his lecturers) had cheated on one of his exams, so threatened him with telling the university which would have resulted in him not graduating (and the lecturer being in serious shit, which I really didn't want as it was nothing to do with me). Plus, I went to student support services who facilitated the return of my money. i was not fucking impressed.

So, my advice is, to state exactly when you want the money returned (give him three days), then go to the university and explain the situation to them. I assume you didn't get a receipt?

Published by miss scott (not active) at 9:32pm on Wed 12th November 2008.

i did actually, plus I have his bank sort code and account number....not that thats any good

Published by moody l at 9:55pm on Wed 12th November 2008.

Ok, well tell him exactly when you need the money back, then take ACTION if he doesn't cough up. No fannying about.

Published by miss scott (not active) at 11:19pm on Wed 12th November 2008.

Kidnap and torture. Even if he has no money and you don't get paid and end up homeless... you got to have some fun in the process and if you do a good enough job he won't be going to the police as the re-telling of events will harm him as much as the event itself.

Published by ababoonsass at 9:15am on Thu 13th November 2008.

I know what i'd do.

If you lent him £300, i'm assuming he is a really really really good friend, rather than an acquaintance, surely theres no need for all that legal palava?

'The Student Loans Company' have always been really quick with my payments.

Published by Miacat (not active) at 9:47am on Thu 13th November 2008.

no progress, so this is my last hope....sending this letter to his family/close friends, should work as they appear to be consevertive indian family.

You thoughts would be appreciated.....

Hello,

I need you advice concerning Milan Dave.

I meet Milan when I started the same course as him at City University in London.

I was in a situation where I had no where to live and was looking for accomodation. There were a couple of other guys in the same situation, Milan being one of them. I thought it would be good if we tried to find a place togehter, being on the same course and to make things financially easier for all of us.

I had found a place and spoke to Milan and informed him. He told me at the time that he had not recieved his student finances.
I offered to lend he the cash he needed to move in with us from my student loan.

We were about to go ahead and secure the flat when Milan told me that he had secured student accomodation elsewhere but as he hadn't recieved his loan/grant could I loan him some cash so he could move.

I did this with the understanding that he would refund me once his money had come through.

This was at the end of September. Since then I have not recived any monies from Milan to this date.

In fact, I have been asking him consitantly on hnis progress with my money, to which he has either completely ignored me or avoided the subject. Not answering his phone, or avoiding me or even arranging meetings where I had to come to London only for him not to show up causing me further expenditure and inconvenience

I had to pay three months rent upfront, this means I spent all the money availibled to me until my next payment in January, and since Milan had not paid my loan back, I had no money for food and day to day living expenses, thus causing me to have to leave my course and London, returning home to Cambridge.

I have since found out that Milan has indeed recived his student finances, but he has told me that he is very ill with cancer and has used my money for privated treatment.

The thing is, when Milan asked me for the loan, I understood his needs as I was in the same situatiuon, he didn't have to ask twice.

I'm a chilled guy who just wants to get on with things. Now I have had to drop vout of a course that I was looking forward to for a whole year, going home shamed and feeling very angry and upset.

I really don't know what to do, as it doesn't seem that he will ever pay me back, and now christmas is very close and I was intending to visit my family which I cannot do now either as I have no cash what so ever.

I do have a couple of options, one is to go to the small claims court and sue over the debt thus giving Milan CCJ and bad credit for many years, or the second being the police who will probably charge him with deception which will result in a criminal record and him being removed from university.

As I said, I usually chilled and don't want to cause any trouble, but as there is no comunication from Milan then I thought it might be an idea if his close friends or family have a word with him.

I would just ask you to put yourself in my situation for a moment.

I really am embarrassed and sorry to write this, I really hope you understand, and please keep me informed.

Thank you for your time,

Luke Mallia

Published by moody l at 7:40pm on Thu 11th December 2008.

will sort grammar and typo's out in a mo

Published by moody l at 7:42pm on Thu 11th December 2008.

Sorry to hear about this MoodyI. Not sure I can help regarding this blokey giving you back the money, but you could try the following to get a little cash coming in:

1) You could go to the Jobcentre and ask for a crisis loan - contrary to popular belief you don't have to be claiming a benefit to apply for one. They won't lend you money to pay rent etc but they may be able to help with money to pay food, and possibly some bills (though you should still mention the lending that blokey the money, as it will highlight your circumstances). You can request any amount up to £1000, though you probably wont get anywhere near a grand. The important thing to remember is that you must to have a means of paying it back e.g. maybe you've just started a new job and won't get paid for a month, a letter from the employer confirming this would normally do as evidence. Or maybe you wnat to make a claim for Jobseekers Allowance, you can apply for the crisis loan to help you out whilst waiting for the claim to come through, and they'll take the loan out of your claim over a number of months/weeks.

2) Go and see the City University finance advice team. They may be able to contact him for you, or maybe loan you some money in the mean time. Get in touch with them now, before Christmas and while technically in the first term of your course, or within the term of dropping out of the course, before you fall of their radar. University targets include retaining students and reducing drop out rates, by providing support if they can, so please go and have a chat if you haven't already done so.

Hope you manage to get things sorted.

Published by MissRegaling at 8:03pm on Thu 11th December 2008.

By the way, I think if I was in your situ I'd write a letter too, and I think it's fine, though you could show the Uni finance people your letter to get some advice too.

Published by MissRegaling at 8:05pm on Thu 11th December 2008.

It's too long moody

Published by sooth at 8:10pm on Thu 11th December 2008.

too long?

if i recieved an email about my son i would read it no matter how long it was, as long as it was complete tripe.

*wasn't

Published by moody l at 8:28pm on Thu 11th December 2008.
This reply has been edited, last edit at 9:02pm on Thu 11th December 2008.

ok. Only trying to be helpful. It's weak and has too much information imo.

Published by sooth at 8:32pm on Thu 11th December 2008.

do you think I should be more aggresive?

Published by moody l at 8:37pm on Thu 11th December 2008.

No. Just more formal and to the point.

Published by sooth at 8:40pm on Thu 11th December 2008.

IMHO it is a good letter and explains your situation and intentions. Maybe substitute "chilled" for something else, alien word maybe to his parents. You could spell out after his close friends or family have a word with him. to pay you the money he owes.

Published by daggg at 8:58pm on Thu 11th December 2008.

pfft. £300 big deal. chalk it up to experience and move on.

I have a costs order from the high court in my favour, £55,000 from my ex business partner. He ain't gonna pay, the real kick in the teeth is that the cost of enforcing the order is... prohibitive. gonna have to chalk it up to experience and move on. either that or sell the debt to a bunch of thugs for a pittance (quite possibly worth it to make his life hell).

but £300? let it slide. yea it sucks.

Published by andy_landy at 9:11pm on Thu 11th December 2008.

Tbh andy, it's not so much the cash as this guy is taking me for a mug.

Published by moody l at 9:14pm on Thu 11th December 2008.

besides, i'm a student, every penny counts...esp these days.

Published by moody l at 9:16pm on Thu 11th December 2008.

Deleted Post

Published by Janeyferr (not active) at 9:17pm on Thu 11th December 2008.

PM'd you moody. An an acknowledgement would be nice.

Published by sooth at 10:56pm on Thu 11th December 2008.

My evil house sharey left with out giving me any contact info and owning me more that £250 :)
nice

Published by joosypigeon at 10:58pm on Thu 11th December 2008.

I think it's a great letter, good luck getting your cash back i hope you do.

Published by Sammy_K at 11:03pm on Thu 11th December 2008.

thanks sooth, that was very well worded.
I don't really check that email account anymore as it's full of people trying to offer me 30 million us dollars and angry women that just don't seem to get the message.

But, yeah, re worded that letter mostly in the style of yours with a wee bit of mine thrown in.

Published by moody l at 11:03pm on Thu 11th December 2008.

It'a a painful lesson to learn that some people never intend to repay what they borrow. My policy is not to lend money at all (except for paltry amounts), but make gifts of it so there's no obligation on anyone. £300 as a student is a lot of dosh relatively; you acted in good faith, so whatever else you do, act to keep your dignity.

Published by nightflyer at 2:15am on Fri 12th December 2008.

well got an email form his sister(?) asking why i had emailed her and how much money he owed me, she must of said something to him as he has now blocked me on FB.

Can't wait til his other relatives/friends wake up in the morning and check their emails.

'Milan, you didn't tell us you were dying of cancer'

He'll be dying of something if he doesn't sort it out soon.

Published by moody l at 2:41am on Fri 12th December 2008.

Published by daggg at 12:42pm on Fri 12th December 2008.

Deleted Post

Published by grabsplatter (not active) at 12:51pm on Fri 12th December 2008.

Well..sorry to sound annoying as I don't know who you of course, but I hope everyone learns a lesson from this.

Never lend more than £10 to a student! *runs* unless you have known them for ages and are not relying on the money to get you home in time for Christmas! Jokes aside... what a thieving little focker!

I'm owed about £4oo for products i have supplied a local business and they, for no reason whatsoever, feel they do not have to pay me. They have completely ignored the calls from my debt collection company (i have been using them for 10 years, v. proffessional and v.good!-usually!) ..who have advised me that people like these get away with it, messing you about with 'its not my company its his..' etc...and rely on the fact you will fo fuck all about it as its not worth going to court over £400.

I really feel like naming and shaming the bastards and have met the bloke a few times, he even came to my house to discus it all before placing the order. So, money aside, its really annoying and i know how you feel.

..but this is business i guess, yours is much more personal and i would take it to his front door so to speak and get my cash back!

Published by Floyd at 4:00pm on Fri 12th December 2008.

I got taken to court over £300 by Capital One...

Published by greenmindgigs at 4:01pm on Fri 12th December 2008.

I ring people that owe my business money once a week for the first month, then it escalates until eventually I phone everyday unless I get a plausible and time-constrained solution. I used to hate chasing debts, but now try and have the attitude that it's the same as stealing from me. Considering my totally non-confrontational attitude this all works very well indeed.

I've lent money to friends (and a family member, for a year) in the past and very much agree with nightflyer - best to imagine you're not getting it back, because mostly people that need to borrow money off mates aren't that reliable, even if they are your mates.

Published by arthurCRS at 4:43pm on Fri 12th December 2008.

That's not meant to sound smug - it's an effing pain if someone doesn't pay you back. Personally, I have had to turn up on St Andrews Bureau doorstep several times, after loads of calls, and so many promises, to get my deposit back. I couldn't afford to pay my rent and they thought hanging onto several hundred quid of mine was alright for 3 months. Never be embarrassed about chasing people I guess.

Also, don't rent from SAB.

Published by arthurCRS at 4:50pm on Fri 12th December 2008.

Hrmm it's making me wonder about hassling someone more who owes me £200. Don't really want to go to court, but it's been 2 years...

Published by greenmindgigs at 4:53pm on Fri 12th December 2008.

Do it. As long as it isn't me.

Published by arthurCRS at 4:58pm on Fri 12th December 2008.

Heheh no it's not you.

Published by greenmindgigs at 5:02pm on Fri 12th December 2008.

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