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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Posts
    3

    Unhappy Roommate Default on Rent in Michigan

    Sigh, where do I begin.

    First this all started by being one of a many suppliers of alcohol for my underage roomie , including buying a fifth for a party (however I wasn't the only one who brought alcohol, and my purchase was a flea fart in comparison. Still it was bad). Luckily I've been advised by a lawyer that in this area chances are if I didn't get caught in the act the law really doesn't do anything.

    Back to my story. My conscience finally caught up with me and I stopped. She tried to sexually seduce me to start up again and I declined (rather reluctantly) getting her pissed at me. Realizing I wasn't a source anymore (I could have been the main source but I really am not sure) she filed an application for a restraining order as a way to get out of our lease we both signed jointly seeing as I didn't have a use for her anymore.

    My lawyer asked for a continuance since the papers she served me with didn't include the piece of paper that has her explination on why she filed. Also she filed 24 hours in advance trying to make it look even worse for me since that time frame is reserved for those who would react violently to being served.

    The judge granted the request and it was delayed for 60 days. That same night after a month of sleeping at her girlfriend's dorm room she moves back in and slept in her room up until the next court date. She calls the night before the continuance basically saying she doesn't want to go through with it and she wants to talk with me alone, I didn't respond.

    The continuance comes by and she doesn't show resulting in a ruling of dismissal with prejudice. Although the judge didn't say it directly he said "so ordered" after my lawyer asked for it to be with prejudice.

    Since then she has moved out into a new place and has done little things like replace my shampoo with water, turn off my fridge and coming into my room, although I have done the same when she left a window open.

    I'm not so unguilty either, I took a coffee table we both found and transported in my truck. She was going to take it without compensation but with this turn in events I opted not to lay down without a fight.

    On top of all this she hasn't paid July rent, the last months rent.

    I was considering on selling the stuff she left behind but after researching it I came to this website which had my answer of a no.

    Now, here's my question. I know I can get a judgment against her in civil court. My only question is, would this be worth it to keep on top of her to pay back the amount she owes (which would be about $900-$1000 in basic costs before punitive damages).

    I have been told by friends that the courts are only good for agreeing with a side and leaving open avenues to go after her and not having her pay. Is that true? Could she just switch jobs without telling anyone so that I have to try and find her new job to get her pay docked? Is a bad credit report the worse she can get?

    With the history that I have bought her alcohol, would it be worth the trouble of suing her and then she using that as part of her defense? Plus on top of that risk possibly having a hot shot prosecutor come after me? I am after all getting a degree in Criminal Justice of all fields.

    Thanks

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Behind a Desk
    Posts
    98,846

    Default Re: Roommate Default on Rent in Michigan

    It's up to you to decide if it's worth it to try to sue her. You won't get punitive damages. Unless you're planning on confessing to crimes in court, even if she makes allegations it is unlikely that anything would come of them.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Posts
    3

    Default Re: Roommate Default on Rent in Michigan

    Yeah, im not that hot on getting punitive. The less I have to deal with her the better.

    Hmm, everyone included my lawyer has told me to be truthful about that if she brings it up.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Behind a Desk
    Posts
    98,846

    Default Re: Roommate Default on Rent in Michigan

    Nobody has told you to lie. Ask your lawyer about (a) remaining silent and (b) the Fifth Amendment, concepts I hope he understands.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Posts
    3

    Default Re: Roommate Default on Rent in Michigan

    OK I see. I just misunderstood what you were saying.

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