Small Claims Court

[MikeGTi]

I'm after a bit of advice as to whether Small Claims Court would be the correct method for my girlfriend to recover some monies owed..

She (A) used to live with a house-mate who has failed to pay her share of a gas bill prior to moving out (~£100), A was named on the rental contract but wasn't named on the gas account itself however she was aware of her obligation to pay half of the bills etc and had done so previously - My girlfriend's bank statement show the evidence of this.

A has owed the money since then end of March and has been reminded numerous times by phone call initially (which she now won't answer) and following that by text message, the last time being at the end of June. She's now also blocked my girlfriend on Facebook, likely as she owes the money.

Given that the rental agency will be able to provide evidence of A living at the address, and my girlfriend's bank statement will show evidence of her paying her share of the bills prior to this would Small Claims Court be the way to go, or is there another/easier way?

[Joeguard1990]

Not worth it for £100 in my opinion.
Your "friend" will just say that she didn't have to pay the last bill and it was never agreed that she would.
Learn from the experience and move on.
Oh and get better "friends"

[Actus Reus]

Small Claims Court would be the way to go after a letter threatening proceedings and giving her one more chance to pay. That said i seriously doubt this is worth it - what if she doesnt pay even if you win? Would you really keep chasing this to enforcement? My advice, i'm afraid, would be to write this off - the stress and hassle and up-front cost of small claims arent worth it.

[MikeGTi]

I thought that this would be the case. Does the new online system not take some of the hassle away?

(Yes, yes, naive I know )

[photosnob]

Write a letter. If she doesn't respond stick a claim in. If she looks like she is going to contest it or doens't pay, then walk away. For £100 it's too much hassle. But a letter from a court and the thread of a CCJ are enough to scare most people into paying up.

[Actus Reus]

MikeGTi said:

I thought that this would be the case. Does the new online system not take some of the hassle away?

(Yes, yes, naive I know )

A bit, yes, but it's a bit of a faff and worse still you'll have to pay to use it, so might well be even worse off. What photosnob says isn't wrong, but it's a gamble. I'd leave it.

[MikeGTi]

Many thanks for the advice and opinion, I'll see what the consensus is from the girlfriend.

[Eclassy]

Photosnob is right on the money

Write a letter, if no response, stick a claim in. It will cost you about £20 to issue (hearing fee later on). I would happily spend £200 + what I am owed to ruin the credit file of a debtor.