Housemate stole money for last 2 ESB bills

Havok1610 · 24-03-2009 2:24pm #1

Hey,

Got an ESB bill today for 708 euro, 403 of which was arrears. My housemate who was meant to pay this never paid them, as the last bills paid were in October.

We (Myself, my girlfriend and the other girl who lives with us) will probably confront her later. Could this be an issue that would have the feasability to involve the Gardai, as it is technically theft.

Just want to see what you think.

Thanks,

-Havok

c montgomery · 24-03-2009 2:31pm

Havok1610 wrote: »

Hey,

Got an ESB bill today for 708 euro, 403 of which was arrears. My housemate who was meant to pay this never paid them, as the last bills paid were in October.

We (Myself, my girlfriend and the other girl who lives with us) will probably confront her later. Could this be an issue that would have the feasability to involve the Gardai, as it is technically theft.

Just want to see what you think.

Thanks,

-Havok

Just confront her and ask what happened, There could be a reasonable explanation for it.
No need to bring the guards into it for the moment.

Sleipnir · 24-03-2009 2:31pm

Technically, it's not theft because you gave her the money. Just because she didn't use that money in the way you intended, doesn't mean she stole it.

The Gardai won't touch it.

The_Conductor · 24-03-2009 2:33pm

Sleipnir is right- a Garda will tell you its a civil matter......

Havok1610 · 24-03-2009 2:36pm

Sleipnir wrote: »

Technically, it's not theft because you gave her the money. Just because she didn't use that money in the way you intended, doesn't mean she stole it.

The Gardai won't touch it.

Kind of does...

If you were in employment, and you were given money to go to the bank to get change, and went AWOL, is that not theft?

hobochris · 24-03-2009 2:41pm

Id give her the opportunity to return the money with the threat of going to the garda if she doesn't. I would also include in the money to be returned the esb deposit as she most likely jeopardized any chances of getting that back.

Sleipnir · 24-03-2009 2:44pm

Havok1610 wrote: »

Kind of does...

If you were in employment, and you were given money to go to the bank to get change, and went AWOL, is that not theft?

I don't mean that she hasn't done wrong, I just mean I doubt the Gardai would get involved because it's technically not theft.
Sure ask them, I bet they'll arrest her. :rolleyes:

Sleipnir · 24-03-2009 2:52pm

In the case of going to the bank, that would be something the Gardai would investigate because there is clear intent.
But with your housemate, she may have forgotten to pay it, or lost it or whatever. In any case, there is no clear intent. Therefore, I doubt the Gardai would do anything.

Do you think this sort of non-payment of bills happens quite often around the country? Do you hear many cases of the Gardai investigating such cases?

Havok1610 · 24-03-2009 3:34pm

Sleipnir wrote: »

In the case of going to the bank, that would be something the Gardai would investigate because there is clear intent.
But with your housemate, she may have forgotten to pay it, or lost it or whatever. In any case, there is no clear intent. Therefore, I doubt the Gardai would do anything.

Do you think this sort of non-payment of bills happens quite often around the country? Do you hear many cases of the Gardai investigating such cases?

Well I was just primarily going to use it as a scare tactic. There was intent, because she specifically said that the bills were paid.

Sleipnir · 24-03-2009 3:42pm

Havok1610 wrote: »

Well I was just primarily going to use it as a scare tactic. There was intent, because she specifically said that the bills were paid.

Well, no harm in threatening her with it.

Havok1610 · 24-03-2009 3:46pm

Also turns out they sent out a warning last month, which we just happened to not get. She probably intercepted it before we could get it.

whizzbang · 24-03-2009 3:47pm

Havok1610 wrote: »

Well I was just primarily going to use it as a scare tactic. There was intent, because she specifically said that the bills were paid.

Maybe she thought she paid them but did something wrong? Sent it to teh wrong bank account or something? I'd ask first.

Havok1610 · 24-03-2009 3:48pm

whizzbang wrote: »

Maybe she thought she paid them but did something wrong? Sent it to teh wrong bank account or something? I'd ask first.

Nah, impossible, you bring the bill to the post office and they sort it. the chance of the same error happening on 2 seperate occasions is slim-to-none.

Also doesnt explain the missing warning.

MysticalSoul · 24-03-2009 4:00pm

Might be worth saying it to the landlord. Also, who's name is on the ESB bill? If this happened me, and once it got sorted (assuming it does), I would change who is in charge of the ESB account.

Havok1610 · 24-03-2009 5:03pm

MysticalSoul wrote: »

Might be worth saying it to the landlord. Also, who's name is on the ESB bill? If this happened me, and once it got sorted (assuming it does), I would change who is in charge of the ESB account.

Its my name on the ESB bill, although my gf sorts it, but she was unable to get to town for the last 2 payments, so she got the other girl to pay it.

Victor · 24-03-2009 6:10pm

Sleipnir wrote: »

Technically, it's not theft because you gave her the money. Just because she didn't use that money in the way you intended, doesn't mean she stole it.

The Gardai won't touch it.

While the Garda might be hesitant, there may have been a offence commited along the lines of theft by deception.

kippy · 24-03-2009 6:15pm

I reckon you should simply ask her what happened then decide a course of action from there. It could be something completely innocent and untoward.
I doubt the guards would give a crap about it to be honest.

MysticalSoul · 24-03-2009 6:15pm

Havok1610 wrote: »

Its my name on the ESB bill, although my gf sorts it, but she was unable to get to town for the last 2 payments, so she got the other girl to pay it.

Not sure you will be able to do anything in that case. Is there any record of you having given her the money - bank transfer or anything like that? If not, not sure if there will be any comeback. I hope she does come clean, but I have a feeling she won't, especially if she intercepted the letter of warning from the ESB.

shezzie · 24-03-2009 6:48pm

nothing to do with the gardai it could simply have been she forgot the first time and then the second time she paid it after the due date which wont be seen till your next bill i am afraid. simply show her the bill and ask what happened to the payments you gave her dont accuse her of anything outright as if you are wrong the athmosphere will be rotten in the house.....hope it works out nothing worse than sharing a house in a bad athmosphere....if she has paid and has a receipt and paid in the post office ring 7057000 and ask for billpay section and give details and they will sort it out promptly,,,,,

Housemate stole money for last 2 ESB bills

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