Real-life MMD: Should I demand money back from housemates?

dawyldthing

The other thing you need to do is to make sure bills are in everyones name as then they all are liable for the costs and it usually prompts people in paying as it will give everyone a bad name if it isn't paid.

But I wouldn't pay it as it wasn't my fault. As long as you can prove that you paid your share on time (using a bank card statement) i'd state very clearly that i'd paid my share so its for those that haven't to pay it (and i have dealt with things like this when a student so can sympathise as getting some people to pay the bills is like trying to get blood from water - impossible as they just think the student loan is for having a jolly. But funnily enough its usually those same people who want the heating on 24 hours a day and have every electric point going, full internet and sky and then they turn around and don't want to pay for it!)

joehoover

Of course you shouldn't pay, but sounds like you may already have done.

If you want to broach it then surely they can have no complaints, people may pay late or don't have the funds but then they incur the penalty charge, same as if they go overdrawn or miss their credit card payment.

But if it's going to cause friction and make your life miserable then write it off but make sure not to do it again. Yes, there is a principle here but it's not enough money to worth having a stressful home life in a househsare, there is nothing worse.

Nervous_Dave

If pennypinchUK is right then it sounds like the water company should refund the £36.

If not, then I would say morally you are entitled to ask them for the cash back, but pragmatically it may not be your best option. It all depends on your relationship with them, and the longevity of your tenancy as others have mentioned.

shamylla

I agree with all the above posts, put your foot down and get your money back.

I also agree with someone mentioning you considering to move out - you need to consider that this does not only impact on you financially at the moment. It will also impact on your credit rating, any defaults like this will have an adverse impact on all individuals in the same household for 6 years!

Horseunderwater

UK Water companies have not been able to cut anyone's water off for well over 6 years now. I should know as I thought it would happen to us in 2004. Therefore if the water company did that for real, then you'd need to get the £36 reconnect fee back as the water company has broken the law. Am sure that there is something from the government on this somewhere.

pinball13

elliep wrote: »

Regardless of if this is a real dilemma, the principle is real and someone may be helped. Or maybe the water cut off rules are different in other countries.

The way this is written it sounds like you already paid your share of the £36, that's where I think you went wrong. Paying it then asking for a refund is hard. In your position I think I'd forget about it now for this time but if it happens again I'd refuse to pay up. Just say 'I ended up out of pocket when you didn't pay the water bill last time and I'm not doing it again. I'm not at fault here and you need to pay for your mistake.'

That said, if it happened again I'd definitely be looking for somewhere else to live. Having utilities cut off can't be a nice way to live.

Exacty what I was thinking, there's no point kicking up a fuss after the fact but lay down some ground rules now!

A.Jones

If you have paid your share, then the company have accepted partial payment anyway. So even if they could cut you off (if it was a non-essential service), then they should not be doing it since they have accepted a partial payment towards the account. They should be contacting you to agree a repayment schedule, not cutting you off.

It also suggests that you are wasting money paying month by month / bill to bill, rather than signing up for a direct debit payment.

milvusvestal

In normal circumstances, the bill for the water rates is addressed to the landlord, rather than the tenants, and the landlord recovers the money as part of the rent. In your case, however, it sounds as if the bill was addressed simply to the occupier.

Either way, you should demand payment from them, so long as you made it clear to the others that you had your share of the bill ready to pay when it arrived.

Clearly, your flatmates come from backgrounds where slovenly behaviour and a complete lack of organization and consideration for others is the norm. If you have any resistance to their paying what is rightfully their responsibility and not yours, look for another flat.

debtfreebird

Agree with all of the above, if you let them off now, they will just do it again. Why should you pay a share of a penalty nothing to do with you.

You should have a kitty money is paid into so that bills are paid when due, perhaps an account requiring 2 signatures to withdraw/pay.

Talent

Of course you should make them pay all of the default payment. They are not your friends, that's for sure.