I signed a lease with a housemate which ends in January 2027. This person has now moved out and is refusing to pay rent and currently owes me $1500, and by the time the lease is up and if he still hasn't paid me will owe me roughly $5000.
If this happens I'll be taking him to small claims court.
Has anyone been in a similar position and been able to recoup their money back from a housemate through the courts?
If he doesn't pay would this go on his credit file?
How do I Start the process? And if the courts determine he hasn't been paying is he then legally obliged to give me my money back?
No I don't want advice on finding another housemate or not signing a lease with a friend in future
Thanks 🙏