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This one started with a shared flat.
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Daniel had lived with his flatmate for just over a year.
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Rent was split evenly.
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Bills were shared.
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Nothing had ever been Late one afternoon, Daniel got an email from the landlord.
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It was a reminder the rent hadn't been paid.
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He assumed it was a mistake and checked his bank.
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His half had gone out, like it always did.
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When Daniel asked about it, his flatmate replied quickly.
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They said it was sorted.
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Said there'd been a mix up, Said not to worry.
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A week later, another email arrived.
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This one wasn't polite.
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Late fees, warnings, next steps?
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Daniel asked again.
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That's when the truth came out.
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The flatmate admitted they'd been short on money.
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They'd used the rent to cover something else.
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They said they planned to replace it before anyone noticed they hadn't.
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Over the next few days, things unraveled.
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More missed payments, utilities flagged, letters pushed through the door.
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When Daniel pushed for answers, the replies slowed, then stopped.
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The flatmate stopped coming home.
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Eventually, Daniel found out the landlord had already started proceedings.
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That night, Daniel posted the story online.
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People focused on one thing not the money problems.
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The fact the rent was taken without a word being said.
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The final update was short.
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Daniel covered the arrears alone.
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The flatmate never moved back in and the deposit was gone.
