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Original poster

Housemates bills

77 replies

marnieja · 12/02/2021 20:50

Ok I know this doesn't really matter, ask eachother etc etc I think we have all talked to other people about it but I want opinions here.

I live in a house with 3 other people we knew eachother before so we rented together split everything 4 ways - rooms are equal.

Housemate 1 - worked throughout pandemic as well as working over time as what was needed (healthcare)

Housemate 2 - furloughed as in bar work worked a couple shifts when could and wasn't furloughed so most of the time has been on 80%

Housemate 3 - was made redundant but got an ok package from that

Housemate 4- non essential job for working from home now but was furloughed during lockdown 1 at 100% of pay

Housemates 2 and 3 think we need to look over the bills and share out fairly. Housemate 1 doesn't want too pay the increased elec and gas 2 3 and 4 are producing as they are out the house all the time.

4 is happy to pay a bit more as had 2 screens on etc for computer.

Do you think this is just a case of pay as we were or do we need a rejig of stuff?

OP posts:
HercwasanEnemyofEducation · 12/02/2021 22:11

Do they have anywhere else to go?

HoneysuckIejasmine · 12/02/2021 22:12

I lived with medics at uni - often they were away on long placements. It wasn't unusual for them to read the meters before departing and sorting out their share of the bills they actually contributed to once they got back, especially the electric bill.

Wester · 12/02/2021 22:14

Everything split 4 ways.

If 2 and 3 aren't happy with an increase, then they should make an effort to reduce heating costs.

Original poster
marnieja · 12/02/2021 22:14

@HoneysuckIejasmine

I lived with medics at uni - often they were away on long placements. It wasn't unusual for them to read the meters before departing and sorting out their share of the bills they actually contributed to once they got back, especially the electric bill.
Thank you this is a lot like it. It's not something I come across before but it's getting too what did you use between 8-5 I'm trying to find a way before that
OP posts:
MsSquiz · 12/02/2021 22:15

@marnieja

The problem is if they leave where do they go and we have to find 2 new people which is harder than it seems
As annoying as that would be, it still doesn't make covering the rent, flatmate 1's responsibility!

They aren't benefitting from 3 flatmates being at home all day, having the heating on and they aren't using more electricity!
They might have a "warm house to come home to" but I'm sure they'd choose a cold house over paying more for rent & utilities!

SchrodingersImmigrant · 12/02/2021 22:16

@marnieja

The problem is if they leave where do they go and we have to find 2 new people which is harder than it seems
They won't leave. Now. Later, probably
Greenevalley · 12/02/2021 22:17

Housemates 2 and 3 are taking the wotsit.
If you're renting in that situation you do not get a rent reduction at the expense of your housemates.
Utilities are different because its a choice to use more fuel.

If I was housemate 1 I would not pay more for everyone else.

Hankunamatata · 12/02/2021 22:40

Omg please tell me you didn't reduce 2 and 3 share of the rent? That's taking the mick.

No I don't think 1 should pay any extra for gas and electric esp if they are out even more working OT.

Ontheboardwalk · 12/02/2021 23:32

@marnieja

The problem is if they leave where do they go and we have to find 2 new people which is harder than it seems
Where are they going?
Frankie4me · 12/02/2021 23:51

There should definitely not be a rent reduction for anyone - it’s not on you or housemate 1 who has worked exceptionally hard to subsidise others housing costs. In terms of increased bills, how much are we actually talking about?

junebirthdaygirl · 13/02/2021 00:04

But what happens if someone goes home for two weeks at Christmas or goes on holidays do they pay less electricity? Or someone who goes home every weekend? Rent should stay the same. Ye are not in the charity business. All my DC are in this situation at the moment where some flatmates are out working and some are working from the apartment but all bills are still shared. They are going to claim tax relief eventually on bills as that's allowed here in lreland so will use that money towards joint bills later.
Only person not to pay equally is someone who has moved back to parents house for the duration. He still pays rent to hold the house but no bills.
Saying that those at home scrimp on heat as want to keep bills low.

HoneysuckIejasmine · 13/02/2021 00:05

Of course, when I say "long placements" I mean weeks at a time.

I still think housemates 2-4 should share bill increase (compared to this time of year) between them. Easy enough to work out if you pay a regular debit rather than I'm full on meter reads.

Codswallop20 · 13/02/2021 00:08

Even split, 4 ways. Anyone's circumstances can change at any time, that is the pre arranged agreement and that is what is fair.

AubergineDream · 13/02/2021 00:09

Should be split equally 4 ways if that is the original agreement

HikeForward · 13/02/2021 11:48

It should be split equally 4 ways, or the housemates at home all day (the ones using more gas and electricity) should pay a bit extra.

It seems really unfair that housemate 1 is a medic working overtime and others expect them to pay more because they had the ‘privilege’ of not being furloughed. It’s not housemate 1’s fault (or yours) that 2 people have less income. If they can’t afford to pay their fair share they need to find cheaper accommodation!

What if the medic moved out because 2 housemates are pressuring him/her to pay extra?

Northofsomewhere · 13/02/2021 12:08

The rent is an entirely separate issue to bills - rent cannot be reduced or changed by reducing use, they also agreed to it before moving in. That is an individual cost that should not change, if they were living in a house that charged per room it would be non-negotiable as it should be in this case.

The bills can be reduced by using it less, don't have the heating on all day but only at peak times like early morning and evening and maybe just after lunch if people aren't getting cold. They shouldn't be having it on all day just because they want to then expecting others to pay more as they're earning less.

I once lived with someone who would calculate his reduction in bills if he was away a week in the quarter (bills were quarterly), it was rather frustrating for the rest of us especially as he wanted the thermostat set higher/longer in the first place.

Money definitely affects friendships, especially when it starts to feel unfair. If b and c can't afford the increase in bills split 4 ways (a and d seem happy with that) then they need to try and reduce them. They shouldn't expect someone else to subsidise their excessive use because they can't afford it.

MyLittleOrangutan · 13/02/2021 12:12

No ones contribution should be affected by their wage changing. Insane idea. Life doesn't work like that.

What's the difference in the bills from when everyone worked to when 3 people are home? The three people home should split that difference. And the person still out working should pay the same they always did.

billy1966 · 13/02/2021 12:51

If 2 and 3 expect reduced rent and costs they should contact the landlord for a reduction.🙄

Their change of circumstances is NOT the responsibility of the other people in the house share.

Are they CF's or dim...or both.

Don't entertain them.

2/3/4 should pay for the increase in utilities.

Anything else is CF territory.

Aprilx · 13/02/2021 13:00

I would keep it simple and split it four ways or where would it end.

ElizaLaLa · 13/02/2021 13:03

@marnieja

It's obviously been so cold recently housemate 1 has come home to a really warm home - anyway I'm housemate 4 haha- but I think housemate 2 and 3 Insist it be on ? And I'm working from home so I benefit so understand but 2 and 3 think all there bills should be reduced including rent cos they are on furlough or redundant
2 and 3 are cheeky fuckers. They are home all day with the heating on but want to pay less??

Tell them to get fucked.

combatbarbie · 13/02/2021 14:45

Who would be picking up the shortfall to the ones wanting a reduction in rent 😳

I think the "extra" costs needs to split between 2,3 and 4.

EL8888 · 13/02/2021 16:00

Extra costs should be split between 2, 3 and 4. I bet they will wish they never opened that can of worms! If they want a rent reduction then they need to speak to the landlord, why should you or the other flat mate have to subsidise them? Are they always so entitled?!

Kisskiss · 13/02/2021 17:57

Either a 4 way evens split, or 2/3 should pay more to cover their extra daytime use ( not less!!!)

AbsentmindedWoman · 13/02/2021 18:05

I think it does get complicated so housemates that's were on furloughed expected a rent reduction in accordance with wage

Yeah, no. That's mad.

I take it you're all on the same contract so the landlord will chase you all if one of you doesn't pay the rent?

TheDuchessOfBeddington · 13/02/2021 18:14

Definitely still 4 ways.

Actually if you think about it bar worker flatmate was already pushing up costs by presumably leaving the house later in the day than the office workers. Where do you draw the line?

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