h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Yes But I have neither time nor money to do much about it...

Let's hope this fix works.

hello, hows it going today?

They're still being unreasonable and making lame excuses, but at least we got them to sign a paper that they'll pay in two weeks, guaranteed.

well done there then, at least they are paying now.

No, they said they'd pay. We'd actually prefer if they don't, that way we can kick them out and get people who'll pay regularly!

the situation seems to be getting more complicated doesnt it?

Steadily so! And I'm home alone with the debtors this weekend, and it's right before exams

thats not good! if there was any realistic way of me being able to get to where you are i would help you out. i can be very persuasive and am not easily imtimidated. i do not think that your flat"mates" are stupid enough to do anything stupid, you will be fine.

Nice of you! I'll be fine, I'm more worried about being able to concentrate on studying.

When I was at uni, the university would sometimes step in to mediate domestic disputes and could even impose course related penalties in serious circumstances.

I know you said one of your flatmates works. Is he working full time or is he also a student? If everyone in your flat is a student maybe you could see if your university is willing to mediate.

Hope this is some help. I've had some bad experiences with flatmates myself. However, living away from home was a positive experience for me, so don't give up!

No, in fact I'm the only one who's still at Uni (the others are just graduating), and the two causing the problems never went to Uni at all, one hasn't even finished any kind of job training and now blames the government for not paying him!

Mmmm, that makes lots of sense! In that case, my advice is to start looking for a new place so you have somewhere to go if things don't work out at your current flat.

It's a shame if it comes to that, but removing yourself from the stress will be better for you and your studies - that’s the most important thing. If your landlord tries to make you pay for the others, put it off as long as you can and hopefully he will give up. You'll lose your deposit though.

I was gonna suggest to contact a prof who teaches law at your uni, but a quick look at the website told me that there the U of Wuppertal does not teach law...

Y.

Wow! Thanks for researching! Now, law and medicine are two major subjects we don't have. I might go to a neighbouring Uni though, I know someone currently doing his PhD in law. But i'd hoped too settle it peacefully, really!

Just telling your flatmates that you are in touch with lawyers and considering legal action might be enough to scare them out of their lethargy. Maybe.

Good luck, anyways.

Y.

One of them claims to be a legal expert (he's always an expert in everything) and says we have no way of getting rid of him The problem is that we have a document that says all desicions must be made unanimously, so we can't vote him out!

As a future-lawyer friend of mine always insists: the first thing you learn when you study law is that the only definite statement a lawyer will give is "it depends..." Meaning that this "document" your "expert" refers to may not be as solid as he thinks it is. And of course there *is* a very simple way to kick him out - if you *all* go. It may not be what you have in mind, but at least there may be some comfort in knowing that if you choose not to pay him out, he will be out on the street (though you would be out there, too )

Hope all goes well for you.

Y.

Thanks... It looks like our option right now is to meet with the landlord, agree with him that we won't pay either to give him grounds for kicking us out without having to give us any notice, and then get him to make a new contract with the three of us. We hope he's game!

I like Number Six's suggestion.

Call the police and the landlord and tell them what you are doing. Call the uni too, they might be able to suggest ways to help.

Get the Contract ended, and start a new one with the landlord, with each of you individually responsible only for your portion.

But surely they paid Kaution?

You may have to end up paying something - but make sure that you can pay in stages, and make sure the 3 of you who are good payers pay equally.

Good Luck!!