Legal advice reguarding bill paying in the UK?

Hi there.sorry to hear of your problem.i think its very wrong that you should even have to go to this level to get the cash back your owed.this guy could at least offer to pay you back maybe in instalments rather than one hit. I'm not sure how small claims court would work as you was bill payer and they would have been in your name.plus this guy that owes the cash could then say you paid the bills and he contributed in other ways such as food laundry and other stuff. I would ask again for cash our instalments.if not threaten court action to him plus mension the added costs he would incur. Goodluck with things hope you get the cash.