# Help! Roommate won't pay us back utilities. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 23, 2013, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-roommate-wont-pay-us-back-utilities/669545 "2013-09-23T21:22:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2013, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-roommate-wont-pay-us-back-utilities/669545/21 "2013-09-24T23:59:44Z")
There’s an old, old joke about how to make sure you never see someone again: Loan them $20. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2013, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-roommate-wont-pay-us-back-utilities/669545/22 "2013-09-30T21:38:16Z")
> [@Randy\_Seltzer](#): > > You’re quoting Federal law. State laws can be significantly more stringent, and can indeed apply to original creditors. _See, e.g.,_ [Fl. St. 559.55 \*et seq.](http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0500-0599/0559/0559.html)\*. As I said, it depends on the state. I’m speaking strictly about the owner of a debt calling the debtor at work. Per your link, the debt owner cannot call the debtor’s employer, but says nothing about calling the debtor themself at their place of employment: > [@](#): > > (4) Communicate or threaten to communicate with a debtor’s employer before obtaining final judgment against the debtor, unless the debtor gives her or his permission in writing to contact her or his employer or acknowledges in writing the existence of the debt after the debt has been placed for collection. However, this does not prohibit a person from telling the debtor that her or his employer will be contacted if a final judgment is obtained. The Florida staute does limit the hours a collection call can be made to 8:00 a.m to 9:00 p.m. in the debtor’s time zone, which could by default mean you couldn’t call a third shift worker at their job. I wonder if, in a era of 24/7 business, the arbitrary time restraint would stand up in court… ---
**Author:** ![Randy\_Seltzer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ee7513/32.png) [@Randy\_Seltzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Randy_Seltzer)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2013, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-roommate-wont-pay-us-back-utilities/669545/23 "2013-10-02T03:34:01Z")
> [@Doctor\_Jackson](#): > > I’m speaking strictly about the owner of a debt calling the debtor at work. Per your link, the debt owner cannot call the debtor’s employer, but says nothing about calling the debtor themself at their place of employment: > The Florida staute does limit the hours a collection call can be made to 8:00 a.m to 9:00 p.m. in the debtor’s time zone, which could by default mean you couldn’t call a third shift worker at their job. I wonder if, in a era of 24/7 business, the arbitrary time restraint would stand up in court… Hope your legal malpractice insurance is paid up. ---
**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2013, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-roommate-wont-pay-us-back-utilities/669545/24 "2013-10-02T05:27:51Z")
> [@Projammer](#): > > IIRC, around here, a small claims award is the amount owed plus filing costs. You should check into that before ruling it out. This sounds best to me. Also, as far as learning a lesson, why not let the \*deadbeat \*be the lesson learner? ---
**Author:** ![chargerrich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chargerrich/32/5399_2.png) [@chargerrich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chargerrich)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2013, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-roommate-wont-pay-us-back-utilities/669545/25 "2013-10-02T13:07:20Z")
> [@F.Pu-du-he-pa-as](#): > > At our last place, **oft wears hats** and I were living with two other roommates. The system was that **oft** would front the money for rent and utilities (electric, water, gas, internet/TV), and the roommates would pay him back. > > We’ve since moved out, and closed out the utilities and the last rent payment. **oft** also fronted the money to get the carpets steam-cleaned. One of the housemates has paid us back; we haven’t heard a peep out of the other. It’s been two weeks. What options do we have to get him to pay us back? He owes over $200, so it’s a fairly large chunk of money. Two Words: Lead.Pipe (just kidding, move on lesson learned) ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2013, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-roommate-wont-pay-us-back-utilities/669545/26 "2013-10-02T13:15:33Z")
Your joke is better; mine would have to do with a box and wrapping paper: …Gee, it was just here a second ago… [gigya width=“300” height=“200” quality=“high” src=“[http://hosting.gmodules.com/ig/gadgets/file/112581010116074801021/spider.swf?up\_original=false&up\_bellyColor=666666&up\_headColor=666666&up\_speed=1&up\_backgroundImage=http://&up\_spiderName=Spider&up\_backgroundColor=&up\_size=1&up\_legColor=333333&](http://hosting.gmodules.com/ig/gadgets/file/112581010116074801021/spider.swf?up_original=false&up_bellyColor=666666&up_headColor=666666&up_speed=1&up_backgroundImage=http://&up_spiderName=Spider&up_backgroundColor=&up_size=1&up_legColor=333333&)” scale=“noscale” salign=“tl” ] \\\\\\\\\\ Rats,[didn’t work…](http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/3JVViW/:GFSc-w6.:bgb.7OxJ/hosting.gmodules.com/ig/gadgets/file/112581010116074801021/spider.swf?up_spiderName=Spider&up_bellyColor=666666&up_backgroundColor=000000&up_size=1&up_speed=1&up_backgroundImage=http://&up_headColor=666666&up_legColor=333333&up_original=/) ---
**Author:** ![Agent\_Foxtrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc29f/32.png) [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2013, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-roommate-wont-pay-us-back-utilities/669545/27 "2013-10-02T14:10:11Z")
The dude’s gone. Life lesson; move on. ---
**Author:** ![Uber\_the\_Goober](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/58956e/32.png) [@Uber\_the\_Goober](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uber_the_Goober)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2013, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-roommate-wont-pay-us-back-utilities/669545/28 "2013-10-02T14:47:56Z")
He swung first. Go talk to him face to face, and be direct and firm. If he won’t pay you, break his car windows. At least, that’s what happens in the movies… ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2013, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-roommate-wont-pay-us-back-utilities/669545/29 "2013-10-02T15:20:21Z")
NM ---
**Author:** ![Wilson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/96bed5/32.png) [@Wilson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wilson)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2013, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-roommate-wont-pay-us-back-utilities/669545/30 "2013-10-02T18:28:49Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > NM It was going to involve bees, wasn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![agnesnitt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d78d45/32.png) [@agnesnitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/agnesnitt)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2013, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-roommate-wont-pay-us-back-utilities/669545/31 "2013-10-03T00:33:34Z")
I like the idea of calling the workplace and being polite. ---
**Author:** ![That\_Don\_Guy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/that_don_guy/32/538_2.png) [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2013, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-roommate-wont-pay-us-back-utilities/669545/32 "2013-10-03T01:52:51Z")
> [@Amateur\_Barbarian](#): > > There’s an old, old joke about how to make sure you never see someone again: Loan them $20. I believe the quote is, “For loan oft loses both itself and friend.” (In this case, “old” is right; it’s the line that follows, “Neither a borrower nor a lender be” in _Hamlet_.) That being said, if you can confront this ex-housemate peacefully, do so, and ask him for the money; if he refuses, then you know who not to trust with money any more. Otherwise, just write it off. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2013, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-roommate-wont-pay-us-back-utilities/669545/33 "2013-10-03T02:00:25Z")
> [@Uber\_the\_Goober](#): > > He swung first. Go talk to him face to face, and be direct and firm. If he won’t pay you, break his car windows. > > At least, that’s what happens in the movies… That’s going overboard. Key his car. ---
**Author:** ![Nawth\_Chucka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c57346/32.png) [@Nawth\_Chucka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nawth_Chucka)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2013, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-roommate-wont-pay-us-back-utilities/669545/34 "2013-10-03T03:03:12Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > That’s going overboard. Key his car. With specially trained bees. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2013, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-roommate-wont-pay-us-back-utilities/669545/35 "2013-10-03T04:05:51Z")
Where/when I grew up and my life had roommates, I knew someone named Guido who specialized in fixing these things. ---
**Author:** ![kittenblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ba8739/32.png) [@kittenblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kittenblue)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2013, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-roommate-wont-pay-us-back-utilities/669545/36 "2013-10-03T17:24:15Z")
You said it had been two weeks…any possibility he just needed to wait until his next paycheck? ---
**Author:** ![oft\_wears\_hats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7993a0/32.png) [@oft\_wears\_hats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/oft_wears_hats)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2013, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-roommate-wont-pay-us-back-utilities/669545/37 "2013-10-03T20:03:12Z")
After a couple emails and a phone call, he finally emailed me back and said that he just hadn’t gotten around to it. For two weeks. He emailed the landlord (and copied me) and asked to have the balance removed from his security deposit and added to mine. So hopefully we’re all done with this. Thanks for the advice, everyone! I won’t call this done until I get my money back, but this is hopefully the last time I’ll have to deal with remuneration from roommates (other than my lovely girlfriend, of course). ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2013, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-roommate-wont-pay-us-back-utilities/669545/38 "2013-10-03T20:24:01Z")
> [@Blackberry](#): > > Yeah, you could probably get the filing fee back too, but even if you win in small claims court, that doesn’t mean you automatically get the money. If he doesn’t pay it voluntarily you can go for wage garnishment or a lien on his property or something but there are probably fees for that too, plus it just wouldn’t be worth it for $200. If you know where this person banks, getting an account garnished is pretty simple and cheap. Plus the fee might get tacked on to what he owes from the court judgment. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2013, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-roommate-wont-pay-us-back-utilities/669545/39 "2013-10-03T20:46:48Z")
> [@Randy\_Seltzer](#): > > Hope your legal malpractice insurance is paid up. I’m not a lawyer, so that doesn’t apply. Neither does your cite, which doesn’t support your position. I explained why. Reiterating something just doesn’t make it true. ---
**Author:** ![Randy\_Seltzer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ee7513/32.png) [@Randy\_Seltzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Randy_Seltzer)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2013, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-roommate-wont-pay-us-back-utilities/669545/40 "2013-10-03T23:37:34Z")
> [@Doctor\_Jackson](#): > > I’m not a lawyer Shocked! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-roommate-wont-pay-us-back-utilities/669545.md?page=1)