Am I being out of order? Housemate issue

Mallus · 2 Apr 2006 at 20:49

I currently live in a house with 4 people - 2 in seperate rooms and 1 couple in a room together. They pay £300 for both of them and we pay £260 each. We moved in in October and since then I have been under the impression that all bills will be split 4 ways. We have a joint account into which all bills are paid and household things are bought. Been asking since October for printouts of this account and finally was given one this week.

It turns out that all bills have been split 3 ways instead of 4 with the argument that they only have 1 room so should pay 1/3 of all bills. I completely disagreed as we all use water, gas and electricity regardless of them sharing a room. I have put in £300 into the joint account over 6 months and they are wanting me to put in another £100, to which I refused. The other housemate (who is a mature student and doesn't seem to be short of money like me!) is fine with splitting them 3 ways but I am not! Who would you say is in the right and why?

PS I am still refusing to put in any money until bills are divided 4 ways. They never made it clear about how the bills were going to be split and I always assumed they would be split equally as that, to me, is common sense.

Mr Joshua · 2 Apr 2006 at 20:52

Of course you're right, they will be using the resources of 2 people.

JohnnyG · 2 Apr 2006 at 20:53

Rent divided by bedroom occupancy, utility bills divided by users.

vanandjuanunited · 2 Apr 2006 at 20:53

4 people = 25% each.

Immsy · 2 Apr 2006 at 20:54

Id have to say I agree with you. All bills should be split 4 ways. The fact that they are a couple is irrelevant.

Arcade Fire · 2 Apr 2006 at 20:54

Utilities bills should obviously be split four ways, since in principle each person uses one fourth of the utilities. Unless they're showering together, cook all their meals as a couple and only watch TV together then it seems to be a no-brainer to me.

bcjames · 2 Apr 2006 at 20:54

JohnnyG said:
Rent divided by bedroom occupancy, utility bills divided by users.

Thats what I'd go with, in this situation.

aceface57 · 2 Apr 2006 at 20:54

No offence but you should never assume when it comes to bills always make sure you know what the sitatuion is, but as it's past that stage i personally would fight for the bills to go 4ways, bills are seperate from the rent? So this means 4 people should be splitting the utility bills 4 ways?

Phil99 · 2 Apr 2006 at 20:55

JohnnyG said:
Rent divided by bedroom occupancy, utility bills divided by users.

^Agreed. Sounds like the fairest way. Just because they're living together doesn't mean they're going to be using any less water etc.

Jimmeh · 2 Apr 2006 at 20:59

Arcade Fire said:
it seems to be a no-brainer to me.

Things change I've changed · 2 Apr 2006 at 21:00

Have to agree, it should defo be split 4 ways, wait for this thread to accumulate more posts then print it out and declare it a general consensus in favor of your cause.

Mallus · 2 Apr 2006 at 21:01

They have agreed to put some money in towards the water bills (still not 1/4 I don't think!) but none of the others. Still using the argument that the bill would be the same regardless of an extra person being there. Some bills (eg. water?) have a set price but surely we all need to contribute. I am pulling my hair out and can't believe the other person honestly thinks its fairer dividing it 3 ways compared to 4!

Things change I've changed · 2 Apr 2006 at 21:04

Mallus said:
I am pulling my hair out and can't believe the other person honestly thinks its fairer dividing it 3 ways compared to 4!

Some people are more concerned about not making a fuss than fighting for whats right.

^TANK^ · 2 Apr 2006 at 21:04

Immulsifier said:
Id have to say I agree with you. All bills should be split 4 ways. The fact that they are a couple is irrelevant.

^^^^

what he said!!!

JohnnyG · 2 Apr 2006 at 21:04

Move a few friends & family in with you at no extra cost, see how they like it

weescott · 2 Apr 2006 at 21:11

Put your arm round your room mate, walk up to the couple and say that you and your room mate are lovers and are forced to come out the closet by thier decision to be selfish, then walk off in a gay strut!

Well Splattered · 2 Apr 2006 at 21:14

JohnnyG said:
Rent divided by bedroom occupancy, utility bills divided by users.

Agreed, thats how it should be!

james.miller · 2 Apr 2006 at 21:14

^^^^ agreed.

Ask them if they would expect to pay half the bills if one of them moved in with another couple. you bet your arse they wouldnt. They'd pay 1/3

Wryel · 2 Apr 2006 at 21:15

I hate couples, they should be shot. Or, maybe something less bad.

Edit: On a serious note, maybe you should ask them if they seriously think they are using 1/6th of the gas, electricity etc in the house. Or give me the girls' number and I can split them up.

Freefaller · 2 Apr 2006 at 21:35

JohnnyG said:
Rent divided by bedroom occupancy, utility bills divided by users.

I think your answer is here. Let us know what they say.