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AIBU?

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Original poster

To press charges - am furious with neighbour

90 replies

Cardent · 10/09/2020 15:48

OK, my car has been badly damaged while parked outside my house.my a drunken neighbour who break danced on it. We have him on cctv as clear as daylight, no arguing that it's him.

He's done nearly 1k worth of damage. He was very drunk.

He says he'll pay but can only do £100 a month due to losing his job and being on universal credit. I'm not sure whether to trust him or not.

But the alternative is I go through my insurance and lose my £300 excess. I'm so close to pressing charges for criminal damage, not sure if the courts would make him pay?

OP posts:
Coldilox · 10/09/2020 15:49

They court may order his to pay compensation to you, but it may not be the full amount and will be in instalments that he can afford.

EmmaGellerGreen · 10/09/2020 15:49

You can’t press charges. You report the crime to the police and they decide whether to prosecute.

workshy44 · 10/09/2020 15:49

Are you renting, if so then maybe. If you own I wouldn't as it will be really difficult to sell your house as you will have to disclose that you initiated criminal proceedings against your neighbor

Buttercupsandroses · 10/09/2020 15:54

Your insurance will likely not be able to recover the money from him but will require you report it to the police

ToelessPobble · 10/09/2020 15:55

Tbh I would see if he pays up, though if he is single and on uc it is very unlikely he can afford 100/month. The courts won't make him pay as much as that a month I imagine an once you have been to the police there is nothing left as a threat to make him pay.

safariboot · 10/09/2020 15:56

You probably have to report the incident to your insurance anyway whether or not you claim. If you do claim, chances are your insurer will require you report the crime to the police. So you may as well do that now.

ProfessorSlocombe · 10/09/2020 15:56

He says he'll pay but can only do £100 a month due to losing his job and being on universal credit. I'm not sure whether to trust him or not.

I wouldn't. And I don't even know him.

Agree to that and you might get a few quid first time, and that will be that.

Personally I'd write a letter asking for the full amount, and when it's not forthcoming start a claim. It will cost the court fee, but ensures they will have to work hard to lose the debt.

I'd also go through my insurers and add any lost NCB to the claim against him too.

As for criminal damage ... well you are more than free to inform the police. But they're unlikely to do much. Especially as it seems limited and specific lawbreaking is quite the thing at the moment. If you're lucky your neighbour could be recruited by the government as a trade expert. Then they could pay you back.

AntiSocialDistancer · 10/09/2020 15:57

I would go through my insurance. Someone who is that stupid and unable to pay a lump sum is bound to neglect to pay. You will be stuck in October or November with £900 of damage and not able to go through the proper chanels.

vanillandhoney · 10/09/2020 15:57

Surely this is exactly what insurance is for? Just ask him to pay the excess Confused

Even if you go through court (and it's not your choice whether the police press charges or not), they'll only demand that he pays in instalments and probably in smaller amounts than £100 a month.

AntiSocialDistancer · 10/09/2020 15:58

if I had to guess the probability of them paying you back on time over the next 10 months I would put it at exactly 0%

yellowgusset · 10/09/2020 15:59

Obviously don't trust him. Go to the police for advice, they may prosecute or you could go through the small claims court.

ProfessorSlocombe · 10/09/2020 16:01

Surely this is exactly what insurance is for? Just ask him to pay the excess

and the NCB lost ...

MarshaBradyo · 10/09/2020 16:02

If you don’t report it in the timeframe fir insurance you’ll lose that option

Not sure about police option

But I wouldn’t count on him paying you, his would you make him if he stops?

Brownbananabandana · 10/09/2020 16:03

What a wanker, definitely claim through insurance and tell hi he’s paying the no claims bonus. He’ll be happy to be off the hook for the full amount but tell him you need to fill no claims bonus upfront otherwise you’ll be reporting to the police

Hoppinggreen · 10/09/2020 16:03

Report to the police for criminal damage and go from there

Original poster
Cardent · 10/09/2020 16:03

Update - he's now saying he won't pay as the price is apparently ridiculous and I could get a whole new car for that! Fuckwit.

I say "neighbour" he lives in the village but I don't know him. He used to live in my very long street but think he's other side of the village now. I'm not bothered about falling out

OP posts:
vanillandhoney · 10/09/2020 16:03

@ProfessorSlocombe

Surely this is exactly what insurance is for? Just ask him to pay the excess

and the NCB lost ...

You don't necessarily lose your NCB if you weren't at fault. I mean, it's possible, but it's not a given.

For me, this is the entire point of insurance - to cover you if your car is damaged somehow. I wouldn't trust a stranger to pay out a grand.

Jaxhog · 10/09/2020 16:04

You know he won't pay, don't you? Either suck it up or go to your insurance, via the police.

ProfessorSlocombe · 10/09/2020 16:05

@yellowgusset

Obviously don't trust him. Go to the police for advice, they may prosecute or you could go through the small claims court.
The OP will always have the option of going through the civil courts.

It's possible a criminal case could order the neighbour to repay the damage, but I wouldn't rely on it.

And - being selfish. If the neighbour ends up with a £2,000 fine, that's £2,000 they won't have to pay the OP.

PlanDeRaccordement · 10/09/2020 16:06

Call the police.

HardAsSnails · 10/09/2020 16:06

Report to the police and your insurance.

lifesalongsong · 10/09/2020 16:06

You can't "press charges", that's not a thing if you are in England

Report to your insurance and the police and let him know you've done both.

Vinosaurus · 10/09/2020 16:07

If he isn't your actual NDN, and considering what a twat he is being about it, I'd report him to the police and your insurers.

vanillandhoney · 10/09/2020 16:07

Update - he's now saying he won't pay as the price is apparently ridiculous and I could get a whole new car for that! Fuckwit.

Why wouldn't you just go through your insurance? You can just claim your excess back from him via small claims afterwards.

Flymetothetoon · 10/09/2020 16:08

Report him to the police via 101 then phone your insurance. I reckon pigs will fly before you get a penny from the idiot next door. My sympathies

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