Acquitance/tenant owes me £2,500+, took some items, never did paid work, and is now ghosting – am I being unreasonable going to court?
First - Thanks for reading and please, do excuse the length.
I need some advice on how to proceed with an acquitance who rented my one-bedroom flat.
Background:
In 2024 I paid him to renovate my flat. He did a generally good job.He then asked to rent it himself for shortlet use. I gave him a discounted rate (£1,250 pcm instead of the normal £1,400) because I knew him.
First year was mostly fine, except him reporting that a guest has made off with my old LG 55" 3D TV in the bedroom(I let that go as it was very old) along side his own 65" Samsung in the living room.
The problems:
From late in the first year he started missing rent payments. I was understanding because of the seasonal nature of shortlets, but I repeatedly asked him to tell me immediately if he couldn’t pay on time. He consistently failed to do this.
By early 2026 he had built up £3,550 in arrears.
In February 2026 he moved out. The flat was returned in mostly good condition, but he took:
A Vonshef kettle
A chrome toaster
A sentimental African Gurmi wall decor.
To be fair on him, he left behind a large leather corner sofa (Although fairly old, bit not that bad). We never had any discussion or agreement that he'll take my stuff and leave his behind.
While doing the renovation in 2024, I paid him £200 (bank transfer) to install extractor fan piping and an outlet. He never did the work despite many promises. When I recently challenged him he initially denied receiving the money until I showed the bank transfers.
End of March 2026: He paid £650, and I agreed to apply his £600 deposit, reducing the arrears to £2,300.
He has continued promising to do the extractor work but never has. I’ve been very patient overall — gave discounted rent, flexibility on payments, didn’t pursue the stolen TV or missing smaller items, etc.
Current situation (21 May 2026):
He still owes £2,300 in rent arrears + the £200 for the uncompleted work.
Our last proper exchange was on 7 May. I sent a clear message setting deadlines (payment by 15 May, extractor job by 22 May) and telling him that failure to course correct will result in my pursuing the the debts thrught Court. He replied defensively (questioning the discounted rent and saying he always pays eventually) even said he does not appreciate receiving such message. He has been completely silent since.
No payment, no work done, no communication.
I belie’ve been extremely patient because I know him, but I also paid him promptly whenever he did work for me (even if not fully finished), and the only thing I asked was basic communication when he couldn’t pay on time as agreed.
From my view, I've been extremely patient because I know him, but I also paid him promptly whenever he did work for me (even if not fully finished), and the only thing I asked was basic communication when he couldn’t pay.
I do not wish to act from an emotional place, so I'm here trying to get the views of those with far more experince in the rental gig than myself as this is my first experince of letting out a property. Additionally, I'm starved of time as I work full time in a professionally demanding high stakes role and also completing a Masters degree.
Questions:
Would I be unreasonable to issue a County Court claim for the £2,500+ (plus interest, court fees, and value of missing items)?
Since he’s ghosting, is a Money Claim Online straightforward with WhatsApp + bank evidence?
Any tips on wording the claim or next steps?
Thanks in advance.Friend/tenant owes me £2,500+, took some items, never did paid work, and is now ghosting – am I being unreasonable going to court?