To not give this money back?

[stardusty5]

Our last lodger moved out six months ago, and a good friend of DP's said that he would move in, and pay £200pcm. Since March he has kept us hanging on, promising he would move in 'next week'. These mostly centered around waiting for his temporary work contract to be made permanent, then a series of alleged delays in him getting paid.

DP has been more than patient and has always given him the benefit of the doubt. We have redecorated the room with him in mind and bought a new bed and mattress.

Recently, the friend paid DP £100 as 'up front rent' and promised again that he would move in this weekend. He has now decided once and for all that he will NOT be moving in and wants the £100 back.

AWBU to not give it back? We have turned interested people down whilst holding it for him, and have lost out on over £1000 of income, as well as the time and money spent decorating the room.

Thoughts?

Depends if you want to stay friends with the using twat or not

What a brass neck asking for the cash back!

I would give him it back - but then I wouldn't stay friends with him.

Keep the money and lose the friend...

It depends how good a friend he is and whether you want to keep him as a friend, to be honest (and obviously it's too late now - but this is why friendship and 'business arrangements' just don't work - we have been let down in similar situations.

If you never care if you see him again then keep the money .............. but if he is such a good friend of your DP presumably DP won't want to do that? £100 won't really make up for all the rental income you have lost out on will it?

I think I would give him the money back, but would definitely tell him how out of pocket you are, that you have turned down genuine enquiries due to his time wasting and you are not impressed. What a tosser!

ouch, thank goodness I have only let through agents and with legally binding documents in place!

if its DH mate, leave the final decision about the £100 to him, but NO MORE "favours" due him at all if this is how he has treated you.

Thanks very much for your responses- this is what i thought (and what the girls at work told me too!)

I totally agree about the friends/money theory, Ragwort. I think we have definitely learned our lesson!