Who pays the bills?

[loloremos]

Recently split with partner.

Have a small baby and am on SMP.

Ex has stayed in the house which is owned by both of us so I know I must pay 50% of the mortgage until he buys me out or it is sold.

Should I also be contributing to bills as I am the one who left him? He seems to think yes. How the hell am I meant to contribute though on SMP? And when I'm not living there?

I'm so confused and don't know what the norm is. Seeing a solicitor on Monday but was wondering what other people think?

I agree you should pay 50% of the mortgage till it’s sold but not the bills. He’s the one using the electric, gas etc not you so why should you pay for it.?
Maybe if you don’t pay the bills it will make him sort it out quicker

Absolutely not. He could be having 20 hour showers for all you know.

I certainly wouldn’t be paying any bills in your situation, and if the ex starts being arsey about it I’d demand ‘rent’ for your half of the house that he’s using.

Definitely no bills

I don't even know how I'll afford half the mortgage and rent/bills on my own in my new place to be honest it's going to be hell...

Actually, I don't see that you should need to contribute 50%. Surely you weren't contributing 50% whilst on smp. You need to be able to provide for your child too. Out of interest why have you left and not him?

I would think council tax bill is the one you need to contribute and perhaps tv licence and briadband, but not water, gas and electric.
I understand that you might have not have means to pay, but question was what should you pay, when you co own the house and it is you, who left.
Don’t get me wrong - Im not taking anyones side, but I asume if man would be the one who would leave, it would be suggested he pays half of everything.

@howhowhow he has other children who live there and go to school there. I've moved out and am staying with my friend whilst I look for somewhere new.

Sadly he did want me to pay 50% whilst on SMP

I also left because he was emotionally abusive towards me and I had enough - but I suppose the reason I left isn't important..

Half the mortgage and half the buildings insurance but he pays everything else.

You need legal advice asap.

@HennyPennyHorror I'm going on Monday thankfully to see a solicitor

What a mess :(

Mortgage yes, but not bills. And work out how much you can afford to pay towards the mortgage while on SMP bearing in mind that you will need money for living on your own. Have you sorted out maintenance? Also, if any bills are in your name, make sure you get them cancelled, he can get new ones in his name.

It certainly suits him to say you should be contributing towards bills. You’ll get good advice from the solicitor and know better where you stand.