Bills in a shared house

AnnaUni

Me and some friends are moving into a rented house in about a week (5 of us all together) and I've been trying to work out the best way to deal with bills. Is it possible to get the bills put in all five of our names so that if they don't get paid we're all equally responsible? If not, what would you suggest is the best way to deal with the bills?

Premier_2

By putting the account in more than one name, it'll allow the company to chase any one of the persons named for the total outstanding amount. This is obviously in the company's interests. I don't know if there is a limit to how many names can be on the account.

To clarify, the company won't get involved in disputes between housemates; they'll have the choice to pursue who they like for the total amount outstanding.

The other thing to bear in mind, is that the company will only usually discuss the account with the named account holder, so if your name is not on the bill, they will not discuss the bill with you. That might become a problem in the future if you fall out with the person who is named on the account.