Renting property with friends can be fun, but it’s important to keep on top of shared expenses to avoid tension and arguments. 

In this blog, we look at what expenses you might share, ways of splitting bills and what to do if one of your housemates doesn’t pay their share.

What expenses do housemates share?

A group of people renting together usually share the rent for the property. However, some landlords let rooms individually. If you’re not sure which category your property falls into, check your tenancy agreement or ask your estate agent. 

Often bedrooms in rental properties are different sizes, e.g. one is large with its own bathroom, while another is just the box room. If you’re planning to move into a house like that, consider whether you are going to split the rent evenly or base it on the size of the room each person occupies. 

Gas, electricity and water are usually the responsibility of the tenants, but occasionally they might be included in the rent. Again, check your tenancy agreement or ask your estate agent – unpaid bills create a lot of problems. 

You will have to pay council tax unless you are exempt. If you’re not sure, find out here.

You might choose to have broadband at your rented house, or you might just use phone data. It’s worth considering how you’ll actually use it, and do some maths to see if home broadband is really the best deal for you.

Some house-shares decide to pay a cleaner – no more arguments over grotty bathrooms! However, if you choose to pay an additional cost like this, make sure all the housemates agree.

Splitting bills

Whatever you are paying for, there are two ways you can set your bills up to ensure everyone pays their share.

The traditional approach is for one person to set up the bill with the utility company, and have their name appear on the bill. They pay the bill by direct debit. On the same day as the direct debit leaves their account, the other house mates pay their share, by direct debit, to the bill payer. This works well as long as everyone in the house is reliable and will have enough money in their bank account to cover the direct debit. The potential problem is that if the bill is not paid, only the named person is responsible and will be the one to end up in trouble, even if it’s not their fault. 

A different approach is to have every housemate named on the bill. This means that, in the event of the bill going unpaid, you all share responsibility. 

There are a number of bill-sharing apps available to help you calculate everyone’s contribution. Some apps can accommodate uneven splits, like different bedroom sizes. They’re not just for rent and bills – you can use them for parties and petrol money too. 

What to do when a housemate doesn’t pay their share of the bills

Sometimes one person in your house-share doesn’t make their contribution. This can be very awkward but it’s best to address the issue quickly as it won’t simply go away. 

Firstly, talk about it. Don’t go straight in with accusations; sometimes it’s a simple mistake and they just don’t know what date the bills are due. Be supportive if they’re struggling financially and encourage them to get help. Look at your own attitudes too – are you leading a lifestyle that your less affluent housemates are struggling to keep up with? 

If they still can’t or won’t pay, consider getting professional debt or credit advice. Larger employers sometimes offer debt support, as do universities. The Citizens Advice Bureau can also help.

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