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Original poster

Student House - Utility Bills

33 replies

Supergluerules · 18/08/2022 11:28

Hi, hoping for some advice on how to manage bills in a shared house when they are not included in the rent or provided in a package by the letting agency?

My DS is suggesting they all take on one utility and then set up standing orders into each other's accounts to cover the bills. I'm worried he'll end up with gas or electric and if the others don't cough up, the bill lies with him - especially given current costs.

There are companies that offer to bundle it up, but I suspect they charge over the odds for this.

Thanks

OP posts:
TAmum123 · 18/08/2022 11:34

DS lives in a shared student house - last year they used a company that sorts all the bills, it was great because they didn’t know each other and were all learning to live independently (all aged 18). With the rise in the cost of living they can’t afford to continue using the company. They have created a bank account and all 4 of them pay in a standing order every month, for a bit more than it costs currently so planning ahead. Each of them have 1 bill in their name and are responsible for meter readings or whatever. This all starts on 1 September so can’t tell you how successful it is yet!

Braveheart35 · 18/08/2022 11:38

DS used one of the bill splitting companies last year. It actually wasn't more expensive when we investigated, but had the peace of mind that we/he was only responsible for his portion of the bills & wouldn't be chased if others didn't pay their whack. We did the same for DD who has graduated this yr, has come to light one flatmates owes her full whack for the year as she hasn't been paying her monthly bill - leaves DD with no responsibility for this bill and won't be chased. I suppose it can depend on how well you know your housemates?

clopper · 18/08/2022 12:20

I think my DD has set up one of these bill splitting accounts. It might be called fused or something like that. I’ve just let her get on with it. One of her housemates is a bit flaky and unreliable with money so I think this is the most sensible way. It probably is more expensive but better that than having to pay someone else’s whole portion as they can’t budget. Also they struggled to get broadband for less than 18 months but they seem to have managed to get just the year with this system.

Original poster
Supergluerules · 18/08/2022 13:23

Thanks, that's useful so far. I have pencilled in a call with eldest DS to see what he did, he was in a shared house for 2 years.

My worry is exactly what @Braveheart35 and @clopper say about unreliable housemates - but apparently if I have nothing positive to say I'm to not say anything at all 🙄

OP posts:
mumonthehill · 18/08/2022 13:29

Ds had also sorted out a company to pay the bills, they just pay in a set amount each a month. I am a bit dubious and wondering what will happen when prices rise, however for them a house of 5 it takes all the stress out of splitting bills.

NellyNothing · 18/08/2022 14:50

I'd avoid a bill splitting company as you end up being responsible for the bills. If someone decides not to contribute then everyone else in the house is still liable. If the bills don't get paid then all of the people listed on the bill could end up with poor credit ratings or CCJs
It's better to each pay a bill separately however your kids should only do this if they can engineer getting a good bill such as the Wi-Fi or the tv license. They need to avoid taking responsibility for energy bills like the plague.

This year is going to be an absolute disaster for some student rentals. Students are going to have to really trust the people they are renting with.

NellyNothing · 18/08/2022 14:52

Sorry I've explained that really badly plus made some typos.

Basically with a bill splitting company each person is jointly liable for all of each bill. Iyswim

NellyNothing · 18/08/2022 14:57

Here is a proper explanation of what I mean

Joint liability.

Basically you should be advising your kids to nab the easy bills by whatever means they can.

LocalHobo · 18/08/2022 14:57

has come to light one flatmates owes her full whack for the year as she hasn't been paying her monthly bill - leaves DD with no responsibility for this bill and won't be chased
This is exactly what happened in my DD's house share. One student, who DD regarded as well known to her having lived together in halls, totally lost the plot of university life. Even if the monthly charge was slightly larger, the peace of mind was worth it. The idea of chasing up payments alongside finals and job hunting? No thanks.

Braveheart35 · 18/08/2022 15:14

The bill splitting company DEFINITELY gave DS & DD a non liability protection. The girl who is being chased for her own bill for the year, is being chased but the others have received their final statement which says they are NOT liable for the outstanding bill of the other girl. Maybe check with the bill splitting company before signing up. I think they were with Huddle.

RedHelenB · 18/08/2022 15:29

Have never known it not to work.

NellyNothing · 18/08/2022 15:36

@Braveheart35 @clopper

You are mistaken in how these companies work. If another person decides not to pay because they are flakey or whatever then the rest of the household is still liable for the bill. All the people who sign up,are jointly and severally liable.

I just went on online chat with fusedbills.co.uk to double check and here is their answer.

If one tenant at the property doesn't pay their share of the bills we will chase them regarding this. If we are not able to contact that tenant regarding the outstanding payment we would implement a joint and several clause. This means that the outstanding payment would be split between the remaining tenants at the property. However, this is a last resort and we would chase the tenant with the outstanding payment first

I've attached a screen shot.

The bill splitting companies make it much easier to split the bills but they do NOT take on the liability of someone deciding not to pay.

NellyNothing · 18/08/2022 15:39

Aghh sorry I cross posted. That's interesting @Braveheart35 I guess it's definitely worth checking the small print

clopper · 18/08/2022 15:44

Looking into this it seems huddle are better for non liability. Wish I’d looked into it for them now, but they have to get on and sort stuff out at 20. Fingers crossed it goes ok then or that’s my savings gone!

Braveheart35 · 18/08/2022 15:49

I can only confirm how the bill splitting company my DS/DD used worked. I’ve checked the info as I wouldn’t want to suggest a company if I wasn’t sure. They have ‘split liability’ and do not chase the students who have paid their own bills. Maybe the one discussed above works on a different premise. As I’ve said, the split liability worked for DS/DD.

NellyNothing · 18/08/2022 15:53

This was the online chat with Fusedbills.
@Braveheart35 I couldn't see a company that offered to take on the risk of non payers. I'd be really interested to know which company it was?

Student House - Utility Bills
Braveheart35 · 18/08/2022 15:55

It was Huddle. DS and then DD chose the plan that included split liability and covered all their utilities including internet. I should imagine all the companies have different plans. We made sure it did include split liability as my DD in particular did not know two of her housemates v well.

NellyNothing · 18/08/2022 16:17

Braveheart35 · 18/08/2022 15:55

It was Huddle. DS and then DD chose the plan that included split liability and covered all their utilities including internet. I should imagine all the companies have different plans. We made sure it did include split liability as my DD in particular did not know two of her housemates v well.

Ohhh, that looks a much much better option. I didn't realize that was an option so sorry for the incorrect advice I gave earlier. I'd be encouraging my kids to either nab a separate easy bill like the water or internet OR use a company like this where you have the option to include split liability.

mimbleandlittlemy · 18/08/2022 16:26

DS and his house with Huddle and they have the split liability.

VanCleefArpels · 18/08/2022 23:07

Don’t do the joint bank account thing unless you (they!) know and trust each other implicitly. It just takes one of the account holders to get into some money problems (drugs, gambling, general overspending) and they can lift all the money and disappear.

the bill splitting apps do charge a bit extra (they are bit charities!) but burg my kids used them while students and found them a convenient way to deal with the bills

Original poster
Supergluerules · 20/08/2022 08:13

Unfortunately Huddle isn't taking on new customers due to the energy prices. So back to the drawing board.

OP posts:
chikchik · 15/07/2023 05:33

Hi @Supergluerules , would you mind posting an update on which bill splitting company your DC chose in the end (if any). My son is meant to be going into a student flatshare next month so I'm encouraging him to talk to his friends about bills, but they all seem a bit head-in-the-sand at the moment.

Original poster
Supergluerules · 15/07/2023 06:52

@chikchik end of 1st year and they ended up having to pay bills direct. So my DS is the lead name on the bill and the others are also named on the account. Then he opened a monzo account which they all pay into.
Not my preference but hopefully it will work out ok come the final bill 🤞
DD is having to do the same for her 4th year, guess a lot of landlords don't want the high energy bills so aren't doing bills included anymore?
Are there any bill splitting services still operating?

OP posts:
chikchik · 15/07/2023 07:41

Thanks @Supergluerules . So is the Monzo account just in his name or are they all joint account holders?