Comments | frankieb_sq87: Wanted: Advice

frankieb_sq87

Wanted: Advice

Mar 05, 2009 16:42

Hey guys! So, I have a question ( Read more... )

Comments 13

vegablack62 March 5 2009, 23:30:52 UTC

Do you have proof of the arrangement. Taking him to court will only work if you can prove the arrangement existed, otherwise he can claim that you were responsible for both the rent and the utilities.

If you have proof consider taking him to small claims court. (I'm not sure of the claim limmit for that court.) My friend went to court against a land lord for a small amount of money and won in small claims court, despite the fact that he represented himself and had a strong foreing accent and a speech impediment. This was when I was in college more than twenty years ago. The land lord kept his money and assumed he'd never take him to court. This is what is happening here.

It isn't worth it if you have to pay a lawyer or lose a days pay to do it.

vegablack62 March 6 2009, 05:22:55 UTC

I don't know if I made myself clear in my above post but my friend won and the cost of court was minimal. The landlord had to pay right after the judges ruling. It was a complete win for my friend. He did have to represent himself.

frankieb_sq87 March 6 2009, 16:11:01 UTC

No, it was pretty clear. I do still have a copy of the lease stating how the utility bills would be paid, as well as all my documentation for the calls I've made, the faxes I've sent, and his initial letter from the $1700 reimbursement.

I would have to take a day off of work though. :-P

stubefied_by_gd March 5 2009, 23:53:16 UTC

My mom used to watch Judge Judy, and I'd sort of get sucked in, and people definitely sue over that sort of thing on there all the time.

I think it would by hysterical to know someone on Judge Judy.

kit_the_brave March 6 2009, 01:28:48 UTC

Boy, I don't know. It sounds like a small-claims court thing to me, and maybe he'll cough up the money if it looks like you're going to take him to court.

On the other hand, if he had an adjustable-rate mortgage on your duplex he may be bankrupt by now!

beshter March 6 2009, 02:01:21 UTC

It's hard when you don't have hard and fast tenant laws....as you well know in my story. Oye. ANyway, it's probably just easier to let it go. Really, by the time you take it to small claims court, it's more than likely cheaper as well.

capnflynn March 6 2009, 02:13:29 UTC

I dunno, but it seems like the legal fees and sheer pain-in-the-arse costs would outweight the benefit of getting $500 and change. (I'm poor but lazy, which ... is probably why I'm still poor!)

frankieb_sq87 March 6 2009, 16:05:04 UTC

I know, right? That's kind of where i am coming from. . . and I HATE confrontation. But I also really dislike the idea of this jerk getting away with it. He was so freaking bi-polar as a landlord. . . great one week, a tyrant the next. Urgh.

OH, and you have to come to Chicago. Avast, me hearties!