Former renter not paying utility bills

[spyke]

Ok, here's the situation: I own a house. I make a house payment every month. I have 2 renters. We divide the bills into 3. One roomate moves out. He still owes money for the phone, electric and water bills from his last month there. We are trying to cover the bills, however, money is tight. I have tried to get in touch with him. I've left emails, I left messages at his friends' house, I even called his sister in Michigan! I don't know what to do. He still gets mail at my house. I have most of his bank statements sitting in a pile. I'm tempted to open them and get his social security number or his checking account number but, that's illegal. All I want is the money for the bills. If anyone knows any way I can do this, please help.

Feeling crappy in Cape Girardeau, MO

 

[JETX]

Send him a 'demand letter'. Send it Certified RRR. Detail what amounts, dates, who, etc. Include that you need a response in (7??) days or you will consider taking legal action.

If he doesn't pay within the alloted time, take him to Small Claims.

 

[spyke]

I sent him an email telling him that if he didn't contact me within 3 days, I would sell the rest of his stuff that was in my house to pay for the money. He responded quickly.