Old roommate still owes me money

[jovalis]

This past summer one of my roommates subleased his room (in a 5 bedroom house) to one of his friends. According to the lease, which he did sign for subleasing, all tenants are responsible for utilities. So we split them all 5 ways. He moved out in September and still has not paid me what he owes me from the summer (over $200). I know it doesn't seem like that much, but I'm a poor college student. He has been stringing me along for 6 months now, saying he is going to get the money soon, but he never does. I have 2 major questions.

1.) How can I go about getting my money back from him?

2.) He is not a legal US citizen. He is here on a Visa to go to college, and will probably leave in the beginning of the summer. Does this make a huge difference in the action I can take?

Please help me! I'm getting desperate! Thanks!

[Mr. Knowitall]

1.) How can I go about getting my money back from him?

The most obvious ways would be to convince him to pay, or try to get (and collect) a small claims judgment against him.

2.) He is not a legal US citizen. He is here on a Visa to go to college, and will probably leave in the beginning of the summer. Does this make a huge difference in the action I can take?

Collection would likely be extremely difficult once he leaves the country.

[jovalis]

I was thinking small claims court was my only other option. Am I allowed to include the court cost/filing fees in my court claim?

[aaron]

The filing fees are normally added by the court to a favorable judgment.