One of the most potentially tense conversations that can occur amongst flatmates is the subject of dividing the bills. Most of us shy away from conversations about money, especially with friends, but if not discussed honestly, it will cause resentment and tension between you and your flatmates over time.
Know your budget as well as your flatmate's rent boundaries
Before any discussion on bills can begin, each of you must openly lay out your budgetry constraints.
What is the maximum and minimum amount that each of you can afford to contribute towards the bills?
During this negotiations, it's important not to embarrass anyone, whether it's the flatmate who can afford the least or the flatmate whose least concern is money.
How to share the bills
The best way to share the bills is to attach an amount to each of the bedrooms. Whoever lives in the largest bedroom pays the higher bills. Conversely, whoever has the smallest bedroom, pays the least. Most apartments have one primo bedroom.
It either has more closet space, better light or a better view . ..something that sets it apart from the others and should cost more than the others.
If you all have different budgets, then this will help determine who lives in which bedroom.
On the other hand, if you can all afford about the same, you must speak openly about your individual needs. Do you want a nicer bedroom or would you prefer paying less rent and using the extra cash elsewhere?
As flatmates, don't let the discussion become a competition for either winning the best bedroom or paying the least.
Try to match bedrooms to lifestyles and preferences. This will make for more harmonious flatshare relationships.
Alternatively you may be lucky, by living in a bills inclusive apartment, but if you use more electricity or spend all your time at home during winter or spend too much time on the house phone, you will always end up having a conversation about the bills.
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Flatmates And Bills - How To Fairly Share The Bills
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