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

Talent

A.Jones wrote: »

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

Would you be the one to take on the direct debit from your account, relying on the rest of the no-hopers?

alwayswrite

You sound a nice person who doesn't want to upset anyone so my suggestion is to deduct your 'share' of the £36 from the next payment you have to pay then explain that it wasn't your fault so it is unfair of them to expect you to pay for it. Another way I find gets people's to think hard is to say 'I wouldn't do that to you'. Best of luck.

anniecave

A.Jones wrote: »

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

I've never lived in an area where a water company gives a discount for paying by direct debit. In my experience the amount is always the same no matter what the payment method. Council tax is usually the same.

Gas and electric are different though,and paying by direct debit often does offer a discount.

A more realistic scenario for this money dilemma would be a council tax "legal charge" or for non-payment or fees for a doorstop collection visit due to non-payment of council tax.

anniecave

debtfreebird wrote: »

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.

An account requiring 2 signatures would be a joint account, and that would mean the 2 people were financially linked for credit scoring purposes. I would be reluctant to do this even for people I trust well to mange their money, and I certainly wouldn't want to do it with the sort of housemates in the example above. It would be a certain way to get my credit score reduced!

amber_cloud

dawyldthing wrote: »

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.

This user is correct - I had an issue with an enormous electricity bill shared with a housemate (nearly £900) I had previously told the electricity company that the bills were in both our names as I knew my housemate was disorganised with money. I paid my half and she arranged a payment plan for hers, didn't pay any of it and we were receiving bailiff letters. I contacted the electricity company and they were able to remove my name from the account as I had paid my half. It's really important to make sure bills are in everyone's name as this means fewer recriminations further down the line if someone doesn't pay and you can prove you've paid your share.

Barryfan

I agree with "alwayswrite". Deduct the £36 from your next water bill, but I would tell them you're going to do it beforehand, so they are forewarned. Perhaps you could set up a cash kitty where everyone's share of the bills is put at the beginning of each month, just after payday, so there's no excuse that someone hasn't paid their share.

onesixfive

No - deduct your share from next months payment, and pop in a note to say why & that you dont wish to make an issue of it.
Anyway - This should be your landlord's problem not yours - he/she should be being billed for the water in Multiple Occupany households.
http://www.ofwat.gov.uk/consumerissues/chargesbills/household/res_oft_walkerreviewann1.pdf
If he/she allowed the water to be cut off for non-payment or non-collection he/she can not pass those charges on to you. Check your tenancy agreement.
Look for a new home, & if you cant afford to live alone - preferably new housemates.
Get proper agreements drawn up between tenants regarding payments/non-payment.

megamezzosoprano

As others have said, the important part of this issue is not the £36 now, but the possible problems down the line. This especially applies if you own the property and are renting out rooms.

If bills are in your name only, and other flatmates don't pay their share, it is your credit score that gets hit. Also be aware that the credit rating of your housemates could affect your standing too - one of mine had a CCJ for non-payment of fees which affected our ability to get connected for utilites, phone, etc. I think these days that's not supposed to happen, but...

When it comes to money and housemates, make it as business-like as possible with direct debits, house accounts, signed agreements, the lot. Otherwise, like their dirty washing, things can pile up and start to get smelly before you know it!

TBagpuss

Yes, you should claim it back from them. You didn't casue the late fee / disconnection charge, why should you pay.

How do you manage the bills? When i shared a house, we arranged it so that each bill waas in a different person's name - that way, if Joe was late paying his share of the electricity bill in Mary's name, Mary could offset it against her share of the gas bill in Joe's name, and so on. It also meant that in a worse case scenario any one person was only suck with one bill , not all of them.

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littleliz

If it was me, i think that I would prefer to keep the peace and pay towards it but at the same time letting them know that it's above and beyond and that she won't be subbing them again.:A