House Share Bills?

zeebre12 · 17-09-2020 1:25am #1

Sorry for long spiel. I recently moved into a house share with two others. The advertisement stated 'Rooms available in ___. €300 per month with a deposit of €200. Bills shared. Not owner occupied'. The man who posted the advertisement (who I'm sharing with) with said they were like the 'head' tenant or something and it's kind of up to them to find someone to rent the rooms in the house. There are 4 rooms in house with 3 occupied. The 'head' said he was also trying to fill the other room but people have shown interest and he is picking who he wants in the house (it is still not filled). When I was enquiring about the house he said there was a top up meter for electricity (rip off anyway!!!) that was around €10 a week each. When I moved in he mentioned something about him paying for bins. Now today I saw that the prepay electricity meter was running low so I said it was his turn. Then he said no that me and the other tenant pay for electricity and he pays for bins/heating (which has not been turned on yet). He also said something about that me and the other tenant pay cheaper for the rooms and this was a reason for us paying electricity. There is also broadband (which I am not using as I have my own). He said when I asked him about paying for electricity that he is also paying for broadband but let's the other tenant use it also. In general should I have to pay for broadband if i don't use it anyway? This lad seems to be taking me for a ride? Where do I stand?
Just wondering what should I do? Should I challenge him and say bills should be split equally?(like other house shares). If he doesn't agree where do I stand in getting my deposit back if i want to move out? There was nothing signed or anything. Now it seems to me that he is just renting the whole house and renting out the rooms? Thanks (I'm new to renting)

17-09-2020 1:27am

you haven't set out very clearly what each bill actually is

generally, it should even out about equal

yeah you'd have to pay broadband share regardless of use imo

Ish66 · 17-09-2020 1:33am

zeebre12 wrote: »

Sorry for long spiel. I recently moved into a house share with two others. The advertisement stated 'Rooms available in ___. €300 per month with a deposit of €200. Bills shared. Not owner occupied'. The man who posted the advertisement (who I'm sharing with) with said they were like the 'head' tenant or something and it's kind of up to them to find someone to rent the rooms in the house. There are 4 rooms in house with 3 occupied. The 'head' said he was also trying to fill the other room but people have shown interest and he is picking who he wants in the house (it is still not filled). When I was enquiring about the house he said there was a top up meter for electricity (rip off anyway!!!) that was around €10 a week each. When I moved in he mentioned something about him paying for bins. Now today I saw that the prepay electricity meter was running low so I said it was his turn. Then he said no that me and the other tenant pay for electricity and he pays for bins/heating (which has not been turned on yet). He also said something about that me and the other tenant pay cheaper for the rooms and this was a reason for us paying electricity. There is also broadband (which I am not using as I have my own). He said when I asked him about paying for electricity that he is also paying for broadband but let's the other tenant use it also. In general should I have to pay for broadband if i don't use it anyway? This lad seems to be taking me for a ride? Where do I stand?
Just wondering what should I do? Should I challenge him and say bills should be split equally?(like other house shares). If he doesn't agree where do I stand in getting my deposit back if i want to move out? There was nothing signed or anything. Now it seems to me that he is just renting the whole house and renting out the rooms? Thanks (I'm new to renting)

You really did not explain the situation very well, I really am confused, Try again maybe ?

bobbyy gee · 17-09-2020 1:40am

300 a month is a deal
Add all bills you pay to your rent for a total and see what you could get else where all bills should be totaled and divided by the amount of people you need to be able to see. The bills

Padre_Pio · 17-09-2020 2:00am

Generally bills are in one person's name.

They pay the full bill to the company and split the cost among all tenants.

So you should pay 1/3 of all the bills. That's it, end of.

The prepay electricity is a balls. Best bet is to estimate how much you use a month, split the cost three ways and put it all into the machine.

Or just get everyone to put 30euro to the electricity every time it runs low.

zeebre12 · 17-09-2020 5:33am

Ish66 wrote: »

You really did not explain the situation very well, I really am confused, Try again maybe ?

The way he explains it to me it seems he is almost trying to make it confusing for me.

zeebre12 · 17-09-2020 5:44am

[Deleted User] wrote: »

you haven't set out very clearly what each bill actually is

generally, it should even out about equal

yeah you'd have to pay broadband share regardless of use imo

There is:
electricity: prepay power (me and other tenant are taking turns paying that)
Broadband: he says he is paying that but me and other tenant can use it
Heating: he says he is paying that (has not been turn on since I moved in September 1st)
Bins: he says he is paying that

Can both of them not split broadband? I am paying for my own broadband. Then we split all other bills equally? And take turns topping up prepay power meter? It will cost me €40 just on electricity (which seems a lot).

zeebre12 · 17-09-2020 5:48am

bobbyy gee wrote: »

300 a month is a deal
Add all bills you pay to your rent for a total and see what you could get else where all bills should be totaled and divided by the amount of people you need to be able to see. The bills

I'm only there since Sep 1st. The only bill I can see is the electricity as I pay that. He says he is sorting out the rest.

zeebre12 · 17-09-2020 5:55am

[Deleted User] wrote: »

you haven't set out very clearly what each bill actually is

generally, it should even out about equal

yeah you'd have to pay broadband share regardless of use imo

He decided he wants broadband and has it for the house. It doesn't come with house. He can choose to cancel it if he wants and the house would have no broadband. Could he then decide to have a gas heater in the living room and we would all have to pay for that? So I could decide I want Sky Sports in the house and they would all have to contribute to that? I don't think so. Heating/bins/electricity are essential services for a house, broadband is not?

zeebre12 · 17-09-2020 6:00am

bobbyy gee wrote: »

300 a month is a deal
Add all bills you pay to your rent for a total and see what you could get else where all bills should be totaled and divided by the amount of people you need to be able to see. The bills

I have nothing to do with other bills. I am only paying for electricity?

zeebre12 · 17-09-2020 6:02am

Padre_Pio wrote: »

Generally bills are in one person's name.

They pay the full bill to the company and split the cost among all tenants.

So you should pay 1/3 of all the bills. That's it, end of.

The prepay electricity is a balls. Best bet is to estimate how much you use a month, split the cost three ways and put it all into the machine.

Or just get everyone to put 30euro to the electricity every time it runs low.

Can not just take turns topping up meter when it runs out?

RurtBeynolds · 17-09-2020 6:16am

Sounds like you have it pretty handy op.

lainey_d_123 · 17-09-2020 7:11am

zeebre12 wrote: »

There is:
electricity: prepay power (me and other tenant are taking turns paying that)
Broadband: he says he is paying that but me and other tenant can use it
Heating: he says he is paying that (has not been turn on since I moved in September 1st)
Bins: he says he is paying that

Can both of them not split broadband? I am paying for my own broadband. Then we split all other bills equally? And take turns topping up prepay power meter? It will cost me €40 just on electricity (which seems a lot).

Did you tell them before you moved in that you wouldn't be paying for broadband? If not, you should pay it. It's 2020, it's an essential service that almost everyone expects in a house share. The norm is to chip in for ALL shared bills unless you have specifically organised otherwise. It's not fair to expect the other tenants to pay more because you've chosen to opt out.

You seem determined to believe the lad is ripping you off because the heating hasn't been turned on yet, but we're about to go into autumn/winter and the bill for that isn't going to be insignificant.

300 euros a month all in seems like a very good deal to me and I wouldn't be complaining about it, to be honest. For future reference you should always ask the specifics of bills before you move in.

zeebre12 · 17-09-2020 7:34am

lainey_d_123 wrote: »

Did you tell them before you moved in that you wouldn't be paying for broadband? If not, you should pay it. It's 2020, it's an essential service that almost everyone expects in a house share. The norm is to chip in for ALL shared bills unless you have specifically organised otherwise. It's not fair to expect the other tenants to pay more because you've chosen to opt out.

You seem determined to believe the lad is ripping you off because the heating hasn't been turned on yet, but we're about to go into autumn/winter and the bill for that isn't going to be insignificant.

300 euros a month all in seems like a very good deal to me and I wouldn't be complaining about it, to be honest. For future reference you should always ask the specifics of bills before you move in.

So I could say I want Sky Sports in the house and we would have to share the bill?
I asked what bills were in the house before I moved in. So you're saying I should look for a copy of previous bills before I move in. It said on the ad BILLS SHARED. He never said anything about him not contributing to electricity until I questioned him. When I questioned him about not paying he muttered something about us two paying cheaper rent.

cruizer101 · 17-09-2020 9:25am

Sky sports and broadband are not the same though.
Broadband is more or less essential these days and considered the same same as electricity.
Can you not stop paying your broadband and use the house one?

I agree it is a messy situation, far cleaner to just split all bills equally.
At the end of the day you seem to be in a licencee situation so you have little to no rights so you just need to accept it or move. Have a think about the total you are paying per month compared to elsewhere if bills were split more normally, total out is what matters.

Padre_Pio · 17-09-2020 9:37am

zeebre12 wrote: »

Can not just take turns topping up meter when it runs out?

Nope. Meter runs out and whoever's turn it is to top up happens to be away.

So they get skipped and you need to ask them to double pay next time.

Messy.

Browney7 · 17-09-2020 10:21am

Is your issue here OP that you and another housemate have to split ESB amongst ye every month which might be 60 quid each maybe, and he's offsetting this by paying bins and broadband?

I.E. your contribution to bills is more than his? Or do you just not want to pay broadband? If you feel you are paying an unfair contribution to total bills then you need to talk it out and drill down to who's paying what. If you are saying you don't want to pay towards broadband I think you need to suck it up as I feel that's unreasonable - I assume you are happy to tether off your phone or some other arangement like that.

zeebre12 · 17-09-2020 11:07am

Padre_Pio wrote: »

Nope. Meter runs out and whoever's turn it is to top up happens to be away.

So they get skipped and you need to ask them to double pay next time.

Messy.

No when it gets to €0.00 it starts counting up. So when someone tops it up they could write day/time they put it on? I haven't paid my share this week and it's at €-9.98.

Silverfish · 17-09-2020 12:27pm

What's heating your water?

zeebre12 · 17-09-2020 12:52pm

Silverfish wrote: »

What's heating your water?

The emerson is just turned on for a few minutes for showering.

zeebre12 · 17-09-2020 1:03pm

When he said about us two paying for electricity he said something about how us two are paying less rent and that's why we are paying for electricity. (It's almost as if we pay extra utilities because we are paying less than him for our our rooms) I'm just renting a room that should have nothing to do with me paying extra.
And the thing is I don't know if I am paying extra at all as I just have to deal with electricity. But he would hardly have it as messy as it is if he wasn't benefiting in some way.
I could also get picky if i wanted as I leave house every Friday morning and don't arrive back until Monday evening (go home at weekends) so I shouldn't be paying as much for electricity.
It's a big mess. Just wondering if I choose to move out how much notice do I have to give to get deposit back?

Browney7 · 17-09-2020 1:11pm

zeebre12 wrote: »

When he said about us two paying for electricity he said something about how us two are paying less rent and that's why we are paying for electricity. (It's almost as if we pay extra utilities because we are paying less than him for our our rooms) I'm just renting a room that should have nothing to do with me paying extra.
And the thing is I don't know if I am paying extra at all as I just have to deal with electricity. But he would hardly have it as messy as it is if he wasn't benefiting in some way.
I could also get picky if i wanted as I leave house every Friday morning and don't arrive back until Monday evening (go home at weekends) so I shouldn't be paying as much for electricity.
It's a big mess. Just wondering if I choose to move out how much notice do I have to give to get deposit back?

In a house share you've no defence about looking for reduced ESB contributions for not being there at weekends. I'd give that very short shrift quite honestly

17-09-2020 2:48pm

OP you seem to want to argue the point with everyone here

seeing as you started a thread not knowing what the norms were id say thats a questionable approach from yourself tbh

constructively, you should have an jdea of what electric, heat, broadband and other utilities are coming to roughly each month and be splitting that

never heard yet of someone opting out of a household bill they say they wont use. broadband is a utility.

good luck finding out the info on what the bills are, thats where id put my questioning energy were i you

Padre_Pio · 17-09-2020 2:49pm

zeebre12 wrote: »

No when it gets to €0.00 it starts counting up. So when someone tops it up they could write day/time they put it on? I haven't paid my share this week and it's at €-9.98.

And when does it cut off leaving you in the dark? Isnt it at -10?
By rights it should never go negative.

You have a jar that should always have 30 euro from everyone in it. When the leccy gets low, take the 90 euro and buy credit.

Then put 30euro in the jar and tell everyone to do the same, or even revolut you 30 and you'll put it in. They've a few weeks.

Rinse and repeat. Nothing worse than chasing someone for a tenner that you need right away to buy credit.

AllForIt · 17-09-2020 2:54pm

Anything other than sharing all the bills equally no matter what is a complete and utter nightmare.

fletch · 17-09-2020 3:04pm

zeebre12 wrote: »

Can both of them not split broadband? I am paying for my own broadband.

So there are two broadband connections coming into the house? Somehow I doubt that. I guess you are referring to data on your phone? Not really comparing apples with apples

zeebre12 · 17-09-2020 3:45pm

fletch wrote: »

So there are two broadband connections coming into the house? Somehow I doubt that. I guess you are referring to data on your phone? Not really comparing apples with apples

I have my own mobile modem that I pay for each month. I can carry it around with me. I bring it home at weekends.
There is nothing coming into the house. He has a mobile modem with eir in the living room.

dartboardio · 17-09-2020 3:53pm

There should be a kitty between the 3 of you for all bills ideally. Split all bills no matter who uses that or who doesn't use that....

Split everything 3 ways.

Toilet roll, electricity, heating, washing up liquid everything.

Padre_Pio · 17-09-2020 4:07pm

zeebre12 wrote: »

I have my own mobile modem that I pay for each month. I can carry it around with me. I bring it home at weekends.
There is nothing coming into the house. He has a mobile modem with eir in the living room.

dartboardio wrote: »

There should be a kitty between the 3 of you for all bills ideally. Split all bills no matter who uses that or who doesn't use that....

Split everything 3 ways.

Toilet roll, electricity, heating, washing up liquid everything.

This advice.

Trying to break down how much people use things or not is a nightmare. I couldn't get near the telly when lads were watching some series. I still paid my share of Sky. Likewise if I'm away for a few weeks, I still pay for electricity and gas.

Trying to do it any other way is asking for hardship.

Even if you don't use it, I would probably pay for it, since it's a standard utility in the house, unless they agree that you don't have to.

zeebre12 · 17-09-2020 11:06pm

So in relation to bills not being shared I am at the mercy of the person I am renting the room in the house from? If I ask him can we not share the bills equally between the three of us and he says no, is it more or less 'tough luck'? So it's like 'if you don't like it you can always find somewhere else'?
So I have basically no rights? For arguments sake he could she he is not contributing to any bills and I would just have to put up with it or find somewhere else?

18-09-2020 2:33am

did you go and ask what the bills are yet?

bobbyy gee · 18-09-2020 2:55am

zeebre12 wrote: »

So in relation to bills not being shared I am at the mercy of the person I am renting the room in the house from? If I ask him can we not share the bills equally between the three of us and he says no, is it more or less 'tough luck'? So it's like 'if you don't like it you can always find somewhere else'?
So I have basically no rights? For arguments sake he could she he is not contributing to any bills and I would just have to put up with it or find somewhere else?

ask to see all the bills add them all up then divide by people in house

zeebre12 · 18-09-2020 7:39am

[Deleted User] wrote: »

did you go and ask what the bills are yet?

Do you mean ask what actual bills need to be paid in the house or ask to see previous bills to see how much per month each bill is around?

18-09-2020 8:09am

So you are only paying 40 per month overall and you are complaining? Even for a house share that’s very low bills.

Most house shares will have a proper Bb connection not crap mobile BB, tv packages, bins, electricity, oil/gas, tv licence etc.

Last time I was sharing it was with 3 others and my share of monthly bills was up around the 70 to 80 euro mark on average (higher winter and bit lower summer due to heating).

wench · 18-09-2020 8:36am

Before you throw the toys out of the pram, consider how much the heating bills will be for the winter.
Unless you're in an A rated house, they could be substantial.

I'm in a standard enough 1950s house, and I am a warm creature who doesn't put the heating on much.
I budget the same amount, €50, to both gas and electric all year round, to cover the winter cost.

So if he's paying for all the heating and you've only to pay half the electric, you're doing well.

18-09-2020 12:59pm

zeebre12 wrote: »

Do you mean ask what actual bills need to be paid in the house or ask to see previous bills to see how much per month each bill is around?

find out what the shared bills total.

the bills that need to be paid in the house are standard and shouldnt be up for negotiation. they all "have to be paid".

from what everyone is telling you, you might be picking up the general consensus that you arent getting screwed here as far as anyone can see.

that's your main question answered by people with experience.

can you opt out of a bill if you feel others use it and you dont? not normally, no. your offered example wouldnt strike most of us as a valid reason not to pay your share of the home broadband.

so thats that answered.

after that- is it strange that the bills themselves arent just added up and paid equally out of a kitty?

yes, that is strange. but not in itself reason to believe you are being taken advantage of (as some have said, you may be getting the better end of that deal) and not in itself a factor in you going back and trying to negotiate the other bills.

so, summary: if you, after reading the thread and hopefully listening to the thread, still feel like you are on a war footing with your housemate then the obvious step is to find out how much the bills average out at and split it all three ways.

nb nobody else seems to think there is reason for war footing here.

lainey_d_123 · 18-09-2020 2:20pm

zeebre12 wrote: »

So in relation to bills not being shared I am at the mercy of the person I am renting the room in the house from? If I ask him can we not share the bills equally between the three of us and he says no, is it more or less 'tough luck'? So it's like 'if you don't like it you can always find somewhere else'?
So I have basically no rights? For arguments sake he could she he is not contributing to any bills and I would just have to put up with it or find somewhere else?

God your attitude is grating.

Why did you come here asking for advice if you're just going to argue?

If you weren't capable of being a grown up and asking how the bills worked BEFORE you moved in, that's on you. That was the point you should have said you didn't want to pay for the shared broadband and asked how the other bills worked.

You have a very cheap deal here so not sure what you're being so snappy about. It's not ideal how bills are set up where you are but it does not sound at all like you're being ripped off. If I were you I'd stop whining and be happy I was living somewhere so cheap. Your other option is to move out, but you're not likely to be any better off.

skooterblue2 · 18-09-2020 3:05pm

Hi OP,
So I am guessing you have moved out of Moms and Pops and are learning about the real world.
Its crap and living with strangers is full on experience.
In general (I am open to correction from other posters but by and large), the area you live in and the condition of your house is proportional to what you pay for.
One in Five renters is a predator, meaning they will feed off your consumables (TP, fairy liquid, washing powder etc) and will mysteriously vanish when there is money to be put into the kitty. Learn to identify them.
Dont piss off landlords. Pay them the full amount regularly and on time, they maybe paying a mortgage on the property. In General (I am open to correction from other posters but by and large), if you treat them right they will be prompt and fast correct problems and such.
Don't be in a mixed house of Students and working professionals, (I am open to correction ......) it rarely works out well for either party.

Its all a learning experience...... we all had to do it at some stage, unless you are moving in with your wife or cell mate (same things in certain situations depending on your perspective).

skooterblue2 · 18-09-2020 3:08pm

lainey_d_123 wrote: »

God your attitude is grating.

Why did you come here asking for advice if you're just going to argue?

If you weren't capable of being a grown up and asking how the bills worked BEFORE you moved in, that's on you. That was the point you should have said you didn't want to pay for the shared broadband and asked how the other bills worked.

You have a very cheap deal here so not sure what you're being so snappy about. It's not ideal how bills are set up where you are but it does not sound at all like you're being ripped off. If I were you I'd stop whining and be happy I was living somewhere so cheap. Your other option is to move out, but you're not likely to be any better off.

In fairness its his first time out of the nest and he is learning when the toilet paper runs out, the magic toilet paper fairy doesnt replace it.

Also Cheap stuff isnt always good stuff and good stuff is rarely cheap.

zeebre12 · 18-09-2020 10:02pm

lainey_d_123 wrote: »

God your attitude is grating.

Why did you come here asking for advice if you're just going to argue?

If you weren't capable of being a grown up and asking how the bills worked BEFORE you moved in, that's on you. That was the point you should have said you didn't want to pay for the shared broadband and asked how the other bills worked.

You have a very cheap deal here so not sure what you're being so snappy about. It's not ideal how bills are set up where you are but it does not sound at all like you're being ripped off. If I were you I'd stop whining and be happy I was living somewhere so cheap. Your other option is to move out, but you're not likely to be any better off.

I may be better off, I don't know? But the advert clearly stayed BILLS SHARED. I asked around how much would the electricity be for me a week and he said €10. He never mentioned anything about him not contributing to the electricity until I questioned him. Also when I questioned him he mentioned something about me getting a cheaper room in the house. This should have no influence on the bills. He could decide from Nov-Feb because it's colder that we pay extra couldn't he? I have no rights. He could decide he is not paying any bills.

zeebre12 · 18-09-2020 10:07pm

skooterblue2 wrote: »

In fairness its his first time out of the nest and he is learning when the toilet paper runs out, the magic toilet paper fairy doesnt replace it.

Also Cheap stuff isnt always good stuff and good stuff is rarely cheap.

Excuse me! He posted on the advert BILLS SHARED. I presumed that meant BILLS SHARED. This is not BILLS SHARED. He is picking and choosing what he wants. I house shared last year and bills were split evenly.

Car99 · 18-09-2020 10:22pm

Move out OP clearly you think you're been take for a ride to the tune of a few euro a month.

19-09-2020 12:39am

i made a big ole post for you there OP setting out your reasonable options and you've just carried on picking fights with anyone who doesnt tell you that you, who doesn't seem to have a great appreciation of the norms nor your own situation, aren't in a position to play victim here.

is there any reason that any further contributor should treat you as genuinely seeking a solution to whatever issue you face here?

bobbyy gee · 19-09-2020 12:41am

call it a wash

ted1 · 19-09-2020 1:53am

Bills shared. Sounds pretty obvious. If there’s broadband turn you need to pay your share regardless of using it

Mic 1972 · 19-09-2020 2:48pm

zeebre12 wrote: »

Sorry for long spiel. I recently moved into a house share with two others. The advertisement stated 'Rooms available in ___. €300 per month with a deposit of €200. Bills shared. Not owner occupied'. The man who posted the advertisement (who I'm sharing with) with said they were like the 'head' tenant or something and it's kind of up to them to find someone to rent the rooms in the house. There are 4 rooms in house with 3 occupied. The 'head' said he was also trying to fill the other room but people have shown interest and he is picking who he wants in the house (it is still not filled). When I was enquiring about the house he said there was a top up meter for electricity (rip off anyway!!!) that was around €10 a week each. When I moved in he mentioned something about him paying for bins. Now today I saw that the prepay electricity meter was running low so I said it was his turn. Then he said no that me and the other tenant pay for electricity and he pays for bins/heating (which has not been turned on yet). He also said something about that me and the other tenant pay cheaper for the rooms and this was a reason for us paying electricity. There is also broadband (which I am not using as I have my own). He said when I asked him about paying for electricity that he is also paying for broadband but let's the other tenant use it also. In general should I have to pay for broadband if i don't use it anyway? This lad seems to be taking me for a ride? Where do I stand?
Just wondering what should I do? Should I challenge him and say bills should be split equally?(like other house shares). If he doesn't agree where do I stand in getting my deposit back if i want to move out? There was nothing signed or anything. Now it seems to me that he is just renting the whole house and renting out the rooms? Thanks (I'm new to renting)

So much entitlement for someone who is just moving in
Have you ever shared a house before?

skooterblue2 · 19-09-2020 3:12pm

Mic 1972 wrote: »

So much entitlement for someone who is just moving in
Have you ever shared a house before?

Nope, he is as green as grass on the 17th of March. I know we were all like that at one stage but you will need to start to learn this stuff fast or you are going to have to find alternative accommodation.

House Share Bills?

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