How much leniency to give to defaulting room mate

[fishmonger12]

So my utility bills came in about 2 weeks ago for me and my 2 roommates. We agreed to split. The electric and water bills come in my name. The cable comes in roommate one's name. Roommate 2 was supposed to have water bill in his name but the apartment staff screwed that up.

Payment is due sept 28th. I tell them this as soon as I receive the bills. Roommate one gives me the money about 3 days later. Roommate two says he'll get it. Week later, I tell him I need that money, asap. He says ok, I'll get it out of the ATM this week. Yesterday, he tells me he doesn't have much money in his checking account, and he can't pay me for a couple weeks, sorry, etc.

My question is how much of a hard ass should I be? The way I'm looking at it, he lied/procrastinated the first time, lied/procrastinated the second, so I'm not going to cut any slack. Either give me the money 4 days before the bill is due or I start charging credit card interest rate.

FYI, his part of the bill is less than 50$. Thanks for opinions.

 

[Ns1]

Give him 1 free pass, second time shit on his pillows.


(assuming you can afford to front for him)

 

[sonambulo]

I'd be a hard ass about it but I wouldn't charge him interest. Make him fork over collateral.

 

[ric1287]

if he can't come up with $50 in 3 weeks, you might have more than just a water bill to worry about

 

[buck]

Originally posted by: fishmonger12
So my utility bills came in about 2 weeks ago for me and my 2 roommates. We agreed to split. The electric and water bills come in my name. The cable comes in roommate one's name. Roommate 2 was supposed to have water bill in his name but the apartment staff screwed that up.

Payment is due sept 28th. I tell them this as soon as I receive the bills. Roommate one gives me the money about 3 days later. Roommate two says he'll get it. Week later, I tell him I need that money, asap. He says ok, I'll get it out of the ATM this week. Yesterday, he tells me he doesn't have much money in his checking account, and he can't pay me for a couple weeks, sorry, etc.

My question is how much of a hard ass should I be? The way I'm looking at it, he lied/procrastinated the first time, lied/procrastinated the second, so I'm not going to cut any slack. Either give me the money 4 days before the bill is due or I start charging credit card interest rate.

FYI, his part of the bill is less than 50$. Thanks for opinions.

Take his computer/tv/etc as collateral until the SOB pays up. Take no shit.

 

[FallenHero]

Originally posted by: ric1287
if he can't come up with $50 in 3 weeks, you might have more than just a water bill to worry about

this


I'd start being a hardass about it.

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

Originally posted by: ric1287
if he can't come up with $50 in 3 weeks, you might have more than just a water bill to worry about

yup

 

[fishmonger12]

Originally posted by: ric1287
if he can't come up with $50 in 3 weeks, you might have more than just a water bill to worry about

See, we're all college students (dependents) from upper middle class families. He's not actually poor, I just think he's too fuckin lazy/stupid/whatever to actually get the money in on time.

He just got in, I'm going to go confront him about it, will let you know how it goes.

 

[Atomic Playboy]

String the scallywag up from the yardarm; the festering bilge-rat be making a mockery of your agreement. That or send him seawards; I could use some wretched vermin to crew me ship. A hard day's work spares ye the cutlass or the plank, and thar be shiny doubloons should ye prove your mettle.

Speakin' plain, I'd keelhaul the landlubber.

 

[Injury]

Be a complete hardass. There's is NO reason you should have to spot him from everything you've said. Just because the bill is in your name does not imply that he should have a line of credit with you or that being able to cover the entire expense should be on your shoulders.

It's an expense when it occurs, not when you pay it.

If it truly is that he's so lazy that he can't write you a check or go to the ATM for you, then just pester him every minute and ask why he can't go do it right NOW.

Unfortunately, there is little you can do that doesn't affect you in this situation, but don't be afraid to be an asshole here. Business is business and friendship is friendship. The two should not mix.

 

[thegimp03]

I hate people who don't pay on time. Always be a hard ass. The more lenient you are with him the further he'll test the limits. If you set the standard early (aka now) then he won't forget.

 

[imported_Imp]

You know where he lives and sleeps at night. If he doesn't pay (after you front him), get it from his wallet.

 

[Krazy4Real]

Give him a timeout.

 

[ConstipatedVigilante]

Give him a gorilla mask.

 

[fishmonger12]

He says he'll get money when he goes home this weekend to see his folks. Not sure I believe this. But w/e, we'll see, will have an update on Monday.

I was a hard ass. I said there was no "I'll have the money to you after the due date," because I'm not a savings and loan.

 

[SphinxnihpS]

Whiffle ball bats filled with sand don't leave marks...

 

[Baked]

Throw all his shit out in the hallway and change the lock, now.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

Originally posted by: fishmonger12
He says he'll get money when he goes home this weekend to see his folks. Not sure I believe this. But w/e, we'll see, will have an update on Monday.

I was a hard ass. I said there was no "I'll have the money to you after the due date," because I'm not a savings and loan.

Perfect time. You need to go get an eviction filed on him, put all his shit out on the front porch and tape the eviction to the door.

you said you guys were in college, and most of the stuff you learn there does absolutely no good in the real world, but by kicking his ass out now and showing him that he has to pay bills on time and be accountable is required in the real world( Unless he is going to be an exec at a large investment firm)

 

[Modelworks]

Hand him the phone book opened to the pawn shop pages.


Whatever you decide get a paper and make him sign it to whatever you agree on.
NEVER do things like this on verbal conrtracts.

 

[darkxshade]

me thinks roommate 2 put your name on the bill because he knew he couldn't pay

 

[Zee]

agreed. me thinks you got shafted on this deal and everyone knew it

 

[Shortcut]

Originally posted by: fishmonger12
So my utility bills came in about 2 weeks ago for me and my 2 roommates. We agreed to split. The electric and water bills come in my name. The cable comes in roommate one's name. Roommate 2 was supposed to have water bill in his name but the apartment staff screwed that up.

Payment is due sept 28th. I tell them this as soon as I receive the bills. Roommate one gives me the money about 3 days later. Roommate two says he'll get it. Week later, I tell him I need that money, asap. He says ok, I'll get it out of the ATM this week. Yesterday, he tells me he doesn't have much money in his checking account, and he can't pay me for a couple weeks, sorry, etc.

My question is how much of a hard ass should I be? The way I'm looking at it, he lied/procrastinated the first time, lied/procrastinated the second, so I'm not going to cut any slack. Either give me the money 4 days before the bill is due or I start charging credit card interest rate.

FYI, his part of the bill is less than 50$. Thanks for opinions.

You must drop the hammer on him now - tell him to pay up now or leave.

It's easier to have this conversation now, than later.

Plus, you certainly don't want the *other* roommate to sense that he could get away w/not paying you, too.

 

[MotionMan]

Originally posted by: fishmonger12
He says he'll get money when he goes home this weekend to see his folks. Not sure I believe this. But w/e, we'll see, will have an update on Monday.

I was a hard ass. I said there was no "I'll have the money to you after the due date," because I'm not a savings and loan.

Have him call mommy and daddy on speaker phone (so you can hear it) to tell them that he is going to need the money when he comes home this weekend.

MotionMan

 

[Bryophyte]

Originally posted by: MotionMan

Originally posted by: fishmonger12
He says he'll get money when he goes home this weekend to see his folks. Not sure I believe this. But w/e, we'll see, will have an update on Monday.

I was a hard ass. I said there was no "I'll have the money to you after the due date," because I'm not a savings and loan.

Have him call mommy and daddy on speaker phone (so you can hear it) to tell them that he is going to need the money when he comes home this weekend.

MotionMan

This.

 

[Injury]

Originally posted by: MotionMan

Originally posted by: fishmonger12
He says he'll get money when he goes home this weekend to see his folks. Not sure I believe this. But w/e, we'll see, will have an update on Monday.

I was a hard ass. I said there was no "I'll have the money to you after the due date," because I'm not a savings and loan.

Have him call mommy and daddy on speaker phone (so you can hear it) to tell them that he is going to need the money when he comes home this weekend.

MotionMan

Beautiful.

Or even better, make the call yourself when he is there.