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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Housemate wants to pay less in elec bills

75 replies

SalehSalesSaleb · 03/12/2016 16:27

As is away for four weeks over festive period, me and other HM both away for ten days though. Not sure what to say! Have explained why this wouldn't really be possible but he is grumpy and refuses to discuss any more . WIBU?

OP posts:
specialsubject · 03/12/2016 16:30

houseshares don't work like that. Mummy's ickle preshus has to learn.

how much is the sum in question anyway? Not worth the effort.

sooperdooper · 03/12/2016 16:32

No, that's bonkers, utility bills are split equally in a house share end of story

Original poster
SalehSalesSaleb · 03/12/2016 16:32

I don't know yet - and they are going to keep paying internet and CT. just want to pay reduced elec

OP posts:
TinklyLittleLaugh · 03/12/2016 16:33

So basically he is going to be there for 18 days less than you? That' nothing in the scheme of things. Standing charge will still need to be paid. You can't be calculating discounts evey time someone goes on holiday.

DoItTooJulia · 03/12/2016 16:33

So he wants a reduction of a12th (or there snouts) of a third of an electric bill? What does it work out to?

And will you get a half of a twelfth of a third of an electric bill reduction too?

See? Madness!

c3pu · 03/12/2016 16:34

It's a no from me...

DoItTooJulia · 03/12/2016 16:34

Brilliant autocorrect! Thereabouts that should say!

DoesAnyoneReadTheseThings · 03/12/2016 16:34

Great idea! I'm going away for two weeks next year I'll ring my mortgage company, council tax department, water company, gas and electric provider, sky etc and make sure they put my bills on hold for the time I'm not here using those things.... what a twat Grin

Original poster
SalehSalesSaleb · 03/12/2016 16:35

Why a twelfth? (Being silly!) Grin

OP posts:
Original poster
SalehSalesSaleb · 03/12/2016 16:35

Their argument is the cost would be minimal if they lived alone

OP posts:
Original poster
SalehSalesSaleb · 03/12/2016 16:36

The cost if they went away I mean - I don't know if I'm being unfair!

OP posts:
DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 03/12/2016 16:36

Good Lord, that's not how it worksGrin

EweAreHere · 03/12/2016 16:36

No. Presumably he doesn't want things cancelled and then re-instated when everyone is back. Those are part of the living expenses of living in a home.

Tell him to get a grip or find a new place to live.

MissVictoria · 03/12/2016 16:37

Winter typically means higher bills. If they arent there for an entire month to use it, tbh they shouldn't be paying full whack for what electricity you and your housemate do use.

EweAreHere · 03/12/2016 16:37

Does he really thin that for the 10 days nobody is there no bills should be paid?

Idjit.

PinkSwimGoggles · 03/12/2016 16:37

Their argument is the cost would be minimal if they lived alone hahaha, have they lived alone at some point?

Original poster
SalehSalesSaleb · 03/12/2016 16:38

Yes they have

OP posts:
ForeverEyesOfBlue · 03/12/2016 16:38

Tell him to go and live alone then and see how he gets on with the bills!
He is being unreasonable. Just keep saying, nope, not possible, we're splitting it three ways as always.

scaryclown · 03/12/2016 16:40

All depends. .if heating is all electric then mine goes up from 10 a minth to 90 a month.. so a reduction might be fair in a sense, but when i've been in shares its never happened that absences dont even out anywsy...so it all peculiar. .

girlelephant · 03/12/2016 16:40

He is BVU! If this happens in December it sets a precedent for future months. & future bills when any of you are away!

charliethebear · 03/12/2016 16:43

He is being unreasonable, you cant give a discount every time someone goes away! What if you go away for more weekends in a year? What if other housemate works longer hours? When you live in a houseshare you pay 1/3 of the bills (dependent on how many housemates)

expatinscotland · 03/12/2016 16:49

Erm, no.

WouldHave · 03/12/2016 16:51

Presumably there will be other times during the year when you are away and he is in the flat? Point out to him that it is inevitable that this will even out over time.

MargaretCavendish · 03/12/2016 16:52

I used to have a housemate who wanted to do this. She was a complete nightmare. She then moved out and sent me increasingly aggressive emails because she thought that us saying she had to pay rent until we found a new housemate was 'theft' (she genuinely believed that she should be able to move out with absolutely no notice and stop paying instantly).

Yes, if he lived alone he could turn the heating down to just above freezing and turn everything off for the month, which would save money. But he doesn't live alone. The savings from having two rather than three people in a house are negligible. If he pays less then he's expecting you to pay extra because he's not there. I would maybe try putting it like that: does he really think you should subsidise him going away?

insancerre · 03/12/2016 16:53

Yanbu
Ds tried to argue that he should pay less board because he works away all week
I said I would reduce his board when I found someone to rent his room during the week, because if he didn't need it, then somebody else could have it when he wasn't there