Money Moral Dilemma: How much should I pay towards the holiday home I've rented with two couples?

MSE_Kelvin

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

We've rented a house that has three double bedrooms, with the couples taking a room each, and me taking the third. The couple that booked it have suggested we split the cost three ways as there are three bedrooms, which means me paying a third of the total, and the others a sixth each. Surely a five-way split would be fairer? The house includes other rooms and amenities, which we'll all use.

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LightFlare

3 way split sounds fair

elsien

A three way split seems fair to me as well. It’s based on rooms, not on number of people in each. 

Unless you want to invite a fourth person to share with you? Each family group and you has a room each, and you will be sharing all other facilities equally.

If you feel it needs to be done differently, then next time have the conversation before the booking is made and not after.

oldernonethewiser

Anoterh vote for a three way split.

comeandgo

Three way then you could bring a friend to share your bedroom.

Jemma01

I don't think either is fair. They always try to lump up single people as if they cost the same as couples! But no they don't. Yes when they're sharing the room itself, but the moment they step outside the room, they're not sharing anymore.  The council charges single people 25% less than couples, not 50% less. But still less than couples. 
Of course paying double isn't fair, since they're sharing a room. The extra person in the room should pay a bit more.
Probably 25% for you, and each couple 37.5%. 

I honestly wouldn't take it too far if I were you, and just pay third and never travel with couples again. They just milk single people that way.

AnneMary

Jemma01 said:

I don't think either is fair. They always try to lump up single people as if they cost the same as couples! But no they don't. Yes when they're sharing the room itself, but the moment they step outside the room, they're not sharing anymore.  The council charges single people 25% less than couples, not 50% less. But still less than couples. 
Of course paying double isn't fair, since they're sharing a room. The extra person in the room should pay a bit more.
Probably 25% for you, and each couple 37.5%. 

I honestly wouldn't take it too far if I were you, and just pay third and never travel with couples again. They just milk single people that way.

This seems fair to me - a compromise between a third and a sixth. 

HOWEVER - all other expenses: food, entertainment, travel should be divided by 5

themadvix

I very rarely comment on these, but as someone in a couple, I'd like to stand up for the single person here - if you went to a restaurant you wouldn't expect to split the bill three ways between five of you - I don't think it's any different here. I'd split the house cost 5 ways if I was in the situation! The people are sharing a room, fine, but that's because that's (presumably) how they live at home (and it comes with other benefits!). It's not a compromise for them. 

I have no idea how you might broach the subject, but I definitely don't think you should pay a third of the cost. 

It_Just_Aint_Right

I think it would be helpful to know the situation of the participants - are they all working? 
I don't think people should be penalised for having a good job that is well paid - but it wouldn't feel right (to me) if I earned 50k, my partner earned 50k, and the single person earned 13k.
Two people sharing on bedroom would not take extra heating (presumably) but they would use extra water, electricity (showers, hairdryers, whatever). 
Do things fairly.

Hodgie

It’s a problem whenever people share and the rules aren’t laid out at the start.  Perhaps only invite two other singles next time.

john_evmk

If you are single and go out to a restaurant with two couples, would the bill be split three ways or five?

Paying one sixth per person won't work - there are only 5 people - so who pays for the sixth sixth?

Perhaps next time all parties should agree how to split the bills BEFORE booking. But I guess you already figured that one out yourself.