Money Moral Dilemma: Should I pay for my flatmate's mistake?

Former_MSE_Nick

This week's MoneySaver who wants advice asks...

My flatmate is in charge of sorting the broadband. We do a roundup every six months of what we owe each other, and in doing so he's just realised he signed up to the most expensive fibre package when we agreed we'd be happy with standard. He's asking for my share but I don't think I should pay for his mistake.

Unfortunately the MSE team can't always answer money moral dilemma questions as contributions are often emailed in or suggested in person. They are intended to be enjoyed as a point of debate and discussed at face value.

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Barryfan

Have you been using the service regularly? If so, then yes, you should pay. Suggest that YOU then take on arranging for a standard service.

CazzieBee

I don't agree with BarryFan - You agreed at the time what service you were going to pick and I presume how much you could afford as well, for 6 months you may have been using the service but you were certainly unaware that your flatmate had not picked what you'd agreed on. It isn't your mistake and you shouldn't have to pay for it. Perhaps the flatmate should pay more attention to what he is doing in future or you could both sit down together when taking out a new contract so you both know what you're in for.
It would be your choice to give him extra than what you'd agreed.

ChairmanDavey_2

I'd feel under no obligation to pay for the extra service - it's 100% his error. However, it might be worth stumping up the extra payment (or paying some lesser amount) if not paying would ruin the friendship or make your living arrangement uncomfortable.

Augustus_the_Strong

Split the cost and change the package to the cheaper one now. It was a mistake, and you need to keep on good terms with your flatmate, otherwise things could end up costing you a lot more.

teddysmum

Augustus_the_Strong wrote: »

Split the cost and change the package to the cheaper one now. It was a mistake, and you need to keep on good terms with your flatmate, otherwise things could end up costing you a lot more.

Downgrading could be an expensive alternative, if the contract has a minimum term, as the penalty could be the full cost until the term ends on top of the cost of the lesser package.

meknowalot-51

If it's just been signed up for(last few days)get it cancelled straight away,if on the otherhand it was six months ago then your flatmate is going to have to pay the extra.You say your flatmate's in charge of sorting these things and by taking on that role means taking responsibility.If the flatmate disagrees then it's tough luck,don't worry as it's not your name on the contract.You both agreed on the lower rate,or did you?could be very convenient for someone.If you havn't known this flatmate for to long and they disagree then perhaps you shouldn't be sharing.

gloriouslyhappy

MSE_Nick wrote: »

. We do a roundup every six months of what we owe each other.

Six months seems like a very long time for settling up purposes, most bills are monthly or at least quarterly, so might be wise to settle up sooner.

can2002

Everyone makes mistakes and some people are more careful than others. If it's a big deal for you then you should have probably taken responsibility for organising it in the first place.

If you can afford to pay the extra, put it down to experience and build some goodwill, you'll never know when you might need it. If you genuinely can't afford it then explain that to him and make sure you take responsibility for every bill moving forward to avoid this sort of thing happening again...

Oh and others have said, don't leave it 6 months to settle up!

markryder

Easy. You had an agreement and they chose to do something different (whether deliberate or not), it's their mistake, so they should take responsibility. Morally, they shouldn't be asking you to stump up in the first place, so that already crosses a line for me. So, they are in the wrong, however pragmatically, you need to live with this person, so in the spirit of harmony it would be a gesture of goodwill to help some way towards the cost, but it shouldn't be a 50/50 split in my opinion.

One final thought. Was there a cashback deal as part of setting this up? That could be a motivation for selecting a different deal, i.e. £50 extra cashback could be quite motivating!

helcat26

Hi
If this broadband contract is with Virgin Media they are sending all customers a letter saying that bills are going up 1st Nov. In the small print however it says that existing customers who are not happy with this ( and who is) can downgrade/ change/ end their contract without penalties if they contact them before 30th Sept.


This would mean you could at least get on the correct package moving forward - if it is Virgin media