Trusting housemates

tumbleweeds

Okay, this isn't a huge problem but I just want to get it off my chest and it'd be nice if people had any suggestions.

There are a few of us living in a house, two of us have an joint account set up through which we all pay rent and bills (just didn't bother putting anyone else on it). It works grand usually but this month we've all been busy, I understand if people forget to pay rent on the exact day etc (even though I, moron that I am, manage to set up, oh, a standing order from my account so I don't have to worry about it). But two people haven't paid yet and the a/c is over a thousand euro overdrawn (the standing order to the landlord goes out of the a/c nonetheless).

Yeah, I do trust that my housemates will pay it. (Eventually.) But tell me, should I have to nag two adults to do something that a child would regard as a priority? I wouldn't dream of letting anyone else's account go into the red like that and it annoys me that they're being lazy and thoughtless just because they're not the ones with a legally binding contract with the bank. Myself and the other signatory have the overdraft beside our names.

It annoys me as well because we'd a bad experience with a housemate earlier this year, who we didn't really trust, so you'd think that they'd bear that in mind when I mention 'rent' to them.

My question is, how should I subtly yet forcibly tell them 'show us the money now'?
Also I'd appreciate any stories anyone might have about bad flatmates. it's make me feel a lot better
(I don't want any criticism for not adding people's names to the account etc, thanks-naivety isn't the same as stupidity!)

biko

You could tell them that the account is overdrawn unless they pay on time.
They shouldn't overreact to that.

The Corinthian

Tell them that it's not your job to nag. As such the person who is consistently late (agree some metric to measure this) can take over responsibility for the rent if things don't change.

Victor

Have him pay in X days before the rent is due. Warn him if it isn't there on time, that you will be upset and will have to take it further. If its not there on the day, ask him to move out and put the paperwork in place for this to happen.

If he stays, have him put the bills in his name.

Nevyn

Why have you set yourself up in a situation which is open to abuse ?
Why can't each person be responsible for a direct debit or lodgement directly to the landlards account ?
Why can't the bills be left on the fridge/notice board and everyone has to pay thier share by bringing the bill to the post office and returning to the fridge/notice board or playing their ammount via internet banking ?

It is your credit ratings that are being screwed around with.

I woudl suggest that you alter the circumstances so that you can not be taken advantage of and explain to the landlord why and that he will only get the amount of rent due from the pair of you who own the account and the will have to get the others to sort out thier own direct debits from thier account
and sort out the ammont of rent they owe the landlord and how much you are in credit with him.

Make it the landlords issue.

tumbleweeds

Well, we're not staying that much longer. And like I said I do trust that they'll pay it, one is a pretty good friend of mine.

Hence not wanting to offend them by getting on their case*sigh*

Oh and the landlord is the one who wanted it all in one lump sum. Must be difficult to keep track of lodgements to your account when you've properties dotted all over the city!

...
Ooh score! Just looked at the balance. One down, one to go!
DEFINITELY closing account once it gets back to zero. Thanks for comments.

Bottle_of_Smoke

But two people haven't paid yet and the a/c is over a thousand euro overdrawn (the standing order to the landlord goes out of the a/c nonetheless).

Don't depend on this, it's only doing so because the account generally operates well. If it goes overdrawn regularly the standing order may start to get bounced & you've got landlord on your ass

Boston

You are a chump. there's no two ways about it. Good friends don't take advantage of each other. You're worried about offending them, you're the one with a 1000 euro hole i your pocket thanks to these plebs.

Carrigart Exile

As of next month they need to set up a standing order putting their share of teh rent into the communal bank account. If they won't they need to find other lodgings

Dublin14

Oh my God...... I am gobsmacked..... Why on earth would your 2 flatmates not pay their rent on time...?? When renting it's not an option to pay your rent - it's compulsory... AND......... why do you think you need to approach the subject carefully - they're not exactly thinking of you when they're not paying their rent on time... In future I think you should look after your own rent and bills... Leave the children to it..... ;-)

dellas1979

Well, its simple as really.......

Cut out the overdraft on the account - this is giving too much cushioning.

If the payment then defaults, the landlord will come knocking and then it will come to light "who has paid".

It is not your job to hunt these guys for your rent.

The over draft is really fecking this all up - shur why wouldnt they be late for a payment when they know that it will be paid from the account regardless?

Miss Fluff

Get them to set up a standing order to your account for a date a fw days before the rent is due every month. Can't believe you have left yourself in such a vulnerable position, if you have no written agreement in place you don't really have a leg to stand on.

tumbleweeds

"Chump" well thanks very much. Like I said I wasn't looking for criticism. I'm well aware that it was stupid not to make different arrangements, and am closing the a/c as soon as the overdraft's cleared. And perhaps I should have stressed the point that I know these people, their parents and where they live outside of this situation etc so they'll pay at some point, I definitely wouldn't have set up things like this if I didn't know them. But, as I said before, thanks for comments...won't put myself in this position again

AnonoBoy

It's not a question of nagging. Just say it flat out. "The rent isn't in the account. You need to get it sorted."

The bank will start charging interest on your overdraft if it's let run. Just make sure you're not the one who ends up paying that too.

BaZmO*

Nagging? How is it nagging?

Just say it to them that their money hasn't gone through and ask if there is a problem. If you still can't bring yourself to participate in such simple social interaction face to face send them an email. Failing that, I dunno.... Carrier Pidgeons or Smoke Signals....

the_syco

AnonoBoy wrote:

The bank will start charging interest on your overdraft if it's let run.

Don't worry about thsi, it'll only be 1% or 2%... thats like, what? €100 or €200. And you'll be the one paying it, as hey, they've paid you the rent, its not "their" fault the bank wants more money. Its yours for being a chump.

Oh, and you don't seem to like the chump word, but its the least nasty word for this issue. So you've known them for years, and they've known you for years, so they'll think that you'll know that they'll pat eventually... next week, or whatever. Just if it goes too long, they'll be paying for last months rent this month, and so forth. And as "you're friends" and "don't want to rock the boat", they can treat you like sh|t. They may not do it on purpose, but they'll do it.

meglome

I like my flatmate but she's terrible with money. So I told the landlord we get paid on different dates so I wanted to pay separately. I was the one out of pocket but not anymore, it's between her and the landlord. You can't be mammy to these guys.

Jo King

If you have housemates and the landlord has asked for one payment from you iot means that you are jointly and severally for the payments. That means that the landlord can sue any one of you if he is left short. it is no good saying that it is another flatmate's responsibility. It is up to you to chase the other flatmate not the landlord. Some people are very immature with money and will delay paying people and try to avoid paying their way. these people have to be trained by their friends not to behave in this manner. I have a friend who used to ask in the pub " can I borrow x amount of money from you - I have left my ATM card in the outside in the car" or some such. No sign of him paying back. A few months after one incident he again requested a loan. I said "NO". you did not pay back the last time. This in front of a group of people. You know what? He paid back the money a few days later and never asks for a loan now.