Who pays utilities?

[sagasmommy]

What is the name of your state? West Virginia. I rented my home to a friend on a month-to-month basis. The utilities were supposed to be put in his name, but I found out after he moved that they were not. He had not paid them the entire 8 months he lived in my home. I contacted him to tell him he owed this money and he said he was not responsible, since the utilities were in my name. I paid those bills, but I am taking him to Small Claims (We go to court in February). Who IS responsible for the utilities? We did not have a written lease.

 

[Litigation!]

What is the name of your state? West Virginia. I rented my home to a friend on a month-to-month basis. The utilities were supposed to be put in his name, but I found out after he moved that they were not. He had not paid them the entire 8 months he lived in my home. I contacted him to tell him he owed this money and he said he was not responsible, since the utilities were in my name. I paid those bills, but I am taking him to Small Claims (We go to court in February). Who IS responsible for the utilities? We did not have a written lease.

My response:

Simple. Since he lived there, and presumably you can prove that he lived there all that time, then he's liable for the utilities.

If you can prove the above, you'll win your case. Then, you need to evict him.

IAAL

 

[sagasmommy]

West Virginia. Thank you, thank you, thank you LITIGATION! for your quick reply. Yes, I do have all of the appropriate receipts. This pompous ass was so sure of himself that when I would attempt to contact him to tell him I was taking him to small claims, he would laugh and call me a loser, then hang up. I eventually had to hire a private investigator to find him. P.S. Was it presumptuous of me to request pain and suffering? I found out that in WV I can sue for up to $5,000. The amount he owes me is nearly $3,000. I had to borrow the money from my elderly parents to pay what he owed, as I cannot work due to Lupus. Is $2,000 unheard of for pain and suffering? I would just like for HIM to suffer as I have.

 

[Litigation!]

West Virginia. Thank you, thank you, thank you LITIGATION! for your quick reply. Yes, I do have all of the appropriate receipts. This pompous ass was so sure of himself that when I would attempt to contact him to tell him I was taking him to small claims, he would laugh and call me a loser, then hang up. I eventually had to hire a private investigator to find him. P.S. Was it presumptuous of me to request pain and suffering? I found out that in WV I can sue for up to $5,000. The amount he owes me is nearly $3,000. I had to borrow the money from my elderly parents to pay what he owed, as I cannot work due to Lupus. Is $2,000 unheard of for pain and suffering? I would just like for HIM to suffer as I have.

My response:

You can't get "pain and suffering" (otherwise known as, "General Damages") in this type of matter. You'll only recoup your court costs, in addition to the amount owed. Also, I incorporate the response of "Seniorjudge" into this response - - found here: https://forum.freeadvice.com/showthread.php?t=302405


So, why haven't you begun eviction proceedings prior to the 8 months?

IAAL