kittycat1

I've been asked to lend a friend money- 10K sterling.

I hate being put into the position. He is having cash flow problems but should be fine once he gets paid by an outstanding job which should be in the next 6 weeks and will pay me back then. His credit rating with the bank means he can't borrow it from there.

Would you loan it?

In theory I don't need the money until later this year. He is a good friend and a colleague who I have previously had a shared business venture with and I do trust him. He has said that if he is unable to pay back by 1st June he will sell his car ( worth 7 1/2K) and some of his kit (worth thousands) to pay me back so he does have the collateral.

If you would what would you put in a contract? does a contract need to be drawn up by a solicitor?

With this kind of thing if he were not to pay would I be able to take him to the small claims court?

Anyone? Advice please.

weasel decentral

Don't do it

britexpat76

Its not something we can answer, only you know this guy and how trustworthy he is, has he borrowed before and paid back etc............Gut instinct advice says no, I know people that have been burnt, even family members doing it.......... Though I know there is a few people I would lend that sort of sum too. A bit like the gambling thread on here today, Can you afford to lose it?

kittycat1

Brit- of course i can't afford to lose it. I have also had my fingers burnt before which is one of the reasons I'm hesitant and would want a legal document confirming terms etc, I don't know what level of contract. Is something written down by us and signed by both of us enough to stand up in court? I would need to take to the small claims court though.

britexpat76

If you need something in writing then I wouldn't do it. Do you really want the hassle of going to a small claims court (Is 10k a small claim?) having to fly back to theUK, Pay a Shark (Solicitor) which will increase your 10k dramatically...............

kittycat1

I would want to put it in writing just so he understands my terms completely- and i want no room for misunderstandings. I would do that whether he was my brother or parent as well.

I'm too much of a girl as I hate to say no as I know he hasn't asked easily

britexpat76

Tell him you don't have it? Or is that too late now

kittycat1

he knows I have it as he knows I have a house deposit saved.

britexpat76

Hmmmm. In my eyes its either a no brainer or a no I think the fact you asked the masses reveals you are hesitant. 10k is not small change and anyone that cannot raise that sort of money from a bank etc obviously has a history of missed payments or defaults. Why would lending from you be any different?

scot47

50 quid - yes. 10,000 ???????

NO

mikewot

No, it'll only end in tears.

Garbatellamike

+1

If you can't afford to lose it - don't lend it.

DesertOcean

I only loan money I can afford to lose

al dente

That amount is too large to mess with. It's your deposit for a house, you don't have it spare though it is a liquid asset at the moment.

Maybe offer 1k and get him to find the rest from 9 others if you really believe him when he says he'll pay it back.

Round-Bum

^ That.

Tell him that, while you're not expecting to need the money 'til later in the year, if the right place comes on the market before hand, then you need to have that money available at short notice.

1K is more than sufficient risk IMHO, particularly if you're as unsure as you seem to be...