Who pays the bills?

[Whopaysthebills]

I can't live with my partner at the moment. He is unbearable and I actually hate him. Someone said to me "think if he was dead" and I'll be honest right now I don't feel much. Obviously I don't wish him dead I'm not a monster but he has made my life a living hell and I need to get away. So my question is who pays the bills? I'm leaving the family home with our baby. I'm happy to continue to pay half the mortgage, insurance and contribute to the bills but I don't feel I should pay half the bills. I am on SMP so earning a lot less at the moment compared to my salary so it's coming out of savings. What normally happens?

My feeling would be I'd just pay my half of the mortgage/insurance but take my name off any of the utility bills.

But speak with a solicitor before you do anything. Make sure your interests are protected legally and you cover yourself.

Are you both named on the mortgage? I don't think you should have to pay the other bills if you're not living there but it depends on whose name it's all in. Do you have somewhere else to go?

Interests are protected. It was done when we purchased.

Yes joint mtg. Not worried about the house at all as it is all tightly protected. The bills are all in my name as they were transferred over from my property.

When I moved out I paid half the mortgage, half the insurance and none of the bills.

He then moved in lodgers so I paid less

Just half the mortgage but also consult a solicitor about your rights in terms of selling him your share, if he moves another partner in etc.

You need to get the bills transferred to him and inform them you've left the property, otherwise they'll chase you if he doesn't pay.

Ok great. I will get on to that once I've escaped.

I was, every penny, he stopped 3 yrs in cos I earned more than him

@Whopaysthebills

You've probably thought of this, but also take a photo of the gas and electricity metres and keep it on your phone in case queries later. Phone through the meter reading to your suppliers as at the day of your departure. Don't forget to take copies of all the bills, with account numbers, of the bills you are currently paying.

Go onto your online Bank account and change your address if you get hard copy bank statements. Change access details/password to any personal online accounts - including your emails and iCloud and shopping sites ASAP.

Change the settings on your phone if it is linked to other devices which will remain in your existing home with your DP. Copy anything plus go online ASAP and get your mail redirected.

Contact your HR or go onto the company's HR/Payroll/Pension portal and change your address there and get your salary paid in a new bank account he doesn't have access to.

Good luck! 🌹

Also don't don't forget to apply for council tax 25% discount at your new address if this is applicable. You should be able to do this online and de-register yourself with the council at your present address to remove yourself from that councils electoral register if you are moving councils.

Thank you. Meters all read and submitted a couple of days ago. I'm not going to rush into changing my address just yet as I'm just going to my mum's and I don't know what the next steps will be after that and with lock down and maternity pay I can't afford anything else.