Refusing to get a loan on behalf of a friend?

[cheapskatemum]

He's always got money problems because, as head of his family (oldest son, father has died), he takes responsibility for such things as his mum's replacement hip op. He sees the way out for me to get the loan and for him to pay it off by direct debit. He can't get the loan himself because he's not a British citizen. I've said no, because I don't even get loans for myself, I just live within my means. At the moment that's pretty tricky because I don't even have a job!

god no

I get the message loud and clear. I've known him 6 years. He says I'm the only person he can turn to. That's very interesting mm22bys, I wonder if he wasn't being straight with me about the hip op either. He said his mum wasn't eligible for it on NHS, so had it in South Africa (near to country of origin). Another friend of same nationality reckoned she would have been. We don't have many friends in common, so not much to lose there. I'll try & check your occupation out lilacclaire, but in case I fail, would you be prepared to reveal it here?

It's on lilacclaire's profile page. She knows what she is talking about.

My mum lent a friend a small amount of money (£1500). She had known the friend more than 30 years. Friend has not paid anything towards it, and she hasnt seen, or heard of her friend since. The money was also then going towards a "worthy cause" (her daughters psychiatric treatment).

In my honest opinion: dont borrow and dont lend money to friends, it ruins the friendship either way. The fact that he has asked has ruined your friendship, it doesnt matter how you reply. And the only reply should be "no". You are not doing him or his mum a favour by giving him the money (as giving it will be)

In most cases where people cant get a loan from a bank it is because the bank wont take the risk. They have done the sums and in the banks opinion the person in question cant afford the loan. You should not lend money to somebody who cant afford a loan!

Dont worry about the friendship. It is not your responsibility. He should be bloody ashamed to put you in this awkward position!

I didn't lend him money for the hip op, he paid it, which has left him out of pocket for his university fees! So sad about your Mum's friend 30 years!

If he's been here 6yrs and hasn't been able to get credit it would be a MASSIVE no (as opposed to just a normal NO) from me too.

Within 2yrs of moving to the UK, without British Citizenship my exH had a mortgage in his name, and a credit card and a secured loan.

Please don't do it I did it for my best friend and she still has not paid the loan off :-/

lilacclaire - I thought you had to be a big burly bloke to do that sort of job. Do you go out with minders in the style of JLo?