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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

Baylisiana · 03/12/2016 18:32

DP used to share a flat where there was no loo roll in the bathroom, everyone took their own in with them when they wanted to go.

Original poster

SalehSalesSaleb · 03/12/2016 18:38

I feel bad though. The way HM sees it, he'll be away for a month and thinks it's only fair

OP posts:

Trifleorbust · 03/12/2016 18:43

You're not forcing him to go away. His contract is his contract. He is being ridiculous and it won't end here. He'll be asking for discounts every time he goes anywhere. Just say no, it'll even out in the wash.

MargaretCavendish · 03/12/2016 18:44

I think you just need to explain to him that it's not unfair, though - again, explain that what he wants to do will leave the other housemates paying extra for him to go away.

The council tax thing is irrelevant; he agreed to it and it has nothing to do with this issue. I used to pay council tax when I was a graduate student because I lived with non-student friends, it didn't mean I tried to screw them out of money elsewhere!

PlinkPlonkPlunk · 03/12/2016 18:48

Really, do as I suggested above and work out the actual amounts (you can get the cost of running the fridge etc by turning off everything else for an hour or see and checking how many units are used. Remember that you'd have to have the heating on for an hour or so even if the house was empty, so put it on for an hour and see how many units it uses. Then at the end of the month, check the number of units used overall, and go from that). You'll probably find that it's tiny. The standing charge is probably the main cost, even at this time of year.

I'd be more on his side if he was asking not to pay the Council Tax, but presumably he agreed to that before moving in, so he can't complain now.

If you generally get on with him, and financially you're doing ok, it might be kind to try to establish whether he's really having financial difficulty, and maybe cut him some slack this one time (possibly in exchange for him doing extra housework or something), but if you think that it'd be the thin end of the wedge, don't do it!

Original poster

SalehSalesSaleb · 03/12/2016 18:52

I was stupid and let slip my salary the other week and I wonder if he's annoyed because I'm on a fairly good wage and he's a studentz

OP posts:

OverTheGardenGate · 03/12/2016 18:56

As many pps have said, it's setting a precedent for the future.

The figure for the amount of electricity he doesn't use will be negligible,
and he's saving money by sharing in the first place e.g. the heating and water heating benefits all of you every day.

I've actually been in his position many years ago when I shared a large apartment with 3 other female work colleagues. I spent most of the time at work and the rest of it at my then BFs house (maybe just one night a week in the apartment) so I used a piffling amount of electricity. I suppose 1/7 of what the others used - but I still paid my share of the leccy.

I didn't mind at all because none of us were rolling in cash, and if I'd started being farty about not paying my full share then they would have
been quite justified in asking me to leave so that they could get someone
who 'did' pay their full share. I didn't want that to happen because I wanted to maintain my own space should I need it. Blimey that was long, but you get the idea.
He's being petty and not doing himself any favours in household harmony. YANBU. He's just being a tightarse.

lola111 · 03/12/2016 18:59

I think YABU and he has a perfectly reasonable position.
Over the festive period you are not likely to be out at work as much, the weather is at its coldest and I don't see why he should be expected to subsidise your gas and electric usage for a month he is not there,

PaulDacresConscience · 03/12/2016 18:59

If he's unhappy with paying c/tax then he needs to go and house share with other students, so it won't be an issue. If he has chosen to live with non-students then c/tax is part and parcel of that.

Likewise if he is unhappy with the concept of sharing bills 3 ways then he'd be best going to live alone.

Bogeyface · 03/12/2016 19:00

Ask him who is going to pay the electricity for the 10 days when no one is there but the fridge etc will still be running. The bloody fairies?!

I would add up the days that you have been away from the property, and the same for the other housemate. If it is more than 18 days each tell him that he can owe you the rest!

OverTheGardenGate · 03/12/2016 19:00

I feel bad though. The way HM sees it, he'll be away for a month and thinks it's only fair sad

Have you got the cojones to show him this thread?

GlitterIsTheEnemy · 03/12/2016 19:01

I don't think he should be contributing to the council tax. He shouldn't have to as a student, if both you and other flat mate are working. Seems a little unfair.

Turbinaria · 03/12/2016 19:02

There's always one of those in house shares I'd ignore him and if he mentions it again tell him to find other housemates who'd accommodate him. Twat!

Original poster

SalehSalesSaleb · 03/12/2016 19:02

Lola - I'll be out of the house ten hours a day (long hours job)

OP posts:

Original poster

SalehSalesSaleb · 03/12/2016 19:03

Glitter - it's a fairly sizeable amount though!

OP posts:

OverTheGardenGate · 03/12/2016 19:04

I used to pay council tax when I was a graduate student because I lived with non-student friends, it didn't mean I tried to screw them out of money elsewhere!

Yes my DD did this. You pays your money and you takes your choice.
As they say.

PaulDacresConscience · 03/12/2016 19:04

Lola - but where does it stop? Part and parcel of sharing a house is acknowledging that life is going to be pretty miserable if you nit-pick over every penny and insist on an actual use split over everything. You accept that on some bills you will use more and on some you'll use less. He may cook from scratch more often and use more gas. He may shower every day and use more water, whereas one of the housemates might shower at the gym 5 days a week and use less.

If OP goes along with this, then it gives her the right to demand a refund of unused utilities whenever she is away. Or alternatively you behave like an adult - and if the concept of someone gaining a tiny amount of extra heat and lighting at your expense bothers you that much, then you move out and live alone.

PaulDacresConscience · 03/12/2016 19:05

Glitter - he's chosen to live in the house and this is one of the standard bills that comes along with it. If he doesn't want to incur a share of the council tax then it is easily avoidable by choosing to live in a house that only has student occupants.

PlinkPlonkPlunk · 03/12/2016 19:05

Glitter but he should have agreed that with the other two at the start. He can't get a few months in and suddenly refuse to pay Council Tax if he knew about it at the start.

PlumsGalore · 03/12/2016 19:12

Surely a student spends more time at home than someone working full time during term time anyway. Don't forget to deduct your units used during the day when he isn't in lectures.

GlitterIsTheEnemy · 03/12/2016 19:12

I understand that. I just wonder if maybe he is struggling for money, hence the asking for a reduction in electricity.

If the other 2 are on a good wage, and he is a student then I don't think a half of ct would be lots more to pay than a third.

I know he agreed to it initially but I work with poor student and I'm too sympathetic

OverTheGardenGate · 03/12/2016 19:13

Over the festive period you are not likely to be out at work as much, the weather is at its coldest and I don't see why he should be expected to subsidise your gas and electric usage for a month he is not there

They are keeping his stuff warm and secure. Maybe he should take all his stuff with him so they can get somebody else in for the duration.

PlinkPlonkPlunk · 03/12/2016 19:18

Glitter, yes, but again, he needs to discuss that. Not just try to recoup it by not paying for other things.

unlucky83 · 03/12/2016 19:48

YANBU it is impossible to share out bills like that fairly - and whilst he is away it won't be zero anyway as things like the fridge/freezer will be running anyway (unless he was going to empty them and turn them off..)
As for a 'kitty' -after years of house shares I found the best way to deal with that is decide what products you are all going to use/share - washing up liquid, toilet roll, hand soap, loo roll, toothpaste, washing powder etc and what kind you are going to buy (value loo roll vs andrex) if someone buys some they keep the receipt then at the end of the month (when you are paying the rent) add it all up and refund/pay whoever -sounds a faff but it actually it works well - no more arguments!!! (I guess in a 5 person house share what helped was only two of us had a car so we tended to do bigger shops and buy most...)
What worked best for sorting out a cleaning rota - get a cleaner

PurpleCrazyHorse · 03/12/2016 19:50

When I was a student, one of our housemates wanted to pay less electric as she didn't have a TV or stereo in her room. We simply said no because you can't possibly calculate it.

If you want to have total control of your bills you live alone. If you share, you share. Being away for a month is a choice and who says you all use exactly one third each anyway. What if one of you has long hair and uses a hairdryer? I see this getting complicated.

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