Living Away from Sharehouse for Two Months - Should I Pay Internet/Utilities Bills?

drillvoice on 17/02/2018 - 15:04
Last edited 18/02/2018 - 14:24 by 1 other user

I currently live with my partner and two others in a 3-bedroom sharehouse. Soon I will be living somewhere interstate for 2 months. I won't take all of my things with me, and I expect to come back to the house when I return.

We've agreed that I won't pay rent for the 2 months I'm away. But we have different views about internet and utilities. My partner's view is that I should pay the supply charges (that is, water and electricity connection + unlimited internet) because I'm still a housemate, I'm just temporarily away. My view is that I am actually living elsewhere and so I shouldn't pay any utilities - it's a different situation from going on a holiday or something.

I'm not asking strangers on the internet to resolve this difference of opinion for us, but I am interested to know any other considerations that people think are relevant, or how people have navigated similar situations in the past. The amount of money is not significant, so I'm more interested in the logic of different positions. I've included a poll for convenience.

EDIT -
Thanks everyone. This has certainly helped me to see that there's a strong case for me contributing something for the fact that some of my stuff will still be in the house, and the utilities are a good place to start.

Poll Options

  • 169
    You should have to pay a share of all utilities.
  • 7
    You should have to pay just for supply charges.
  • 1
    You should have to pay supply charges, but this doesn't include internet.
  • 2
    You shouldn't have to pay utilities at all.
Internet

Comments

  • Ughhh on 17/02/2018 - 15:10
    +9

    We've agreed that I won't pay rent for the 2 months I'm away.

    Are you paying room holding fees or storage fees? If not, you should contribute and pay for something regardless if you're actually using it or not. No free lunch.

    • drillvoice on 17/02/2018 - 15:18
      +4

      Yeah, thanks for your thoughts. I think in my mind my stuff is sort of covered by my partner's rent on her room but it would probably be reasonable for me to chip in.

      • Slippery Fish on 18/02/2018 - 08:12
        +1

        You have commitments you made. You should be paying the full amount…

  • steff on 17/02/2018 - 15:11
    +16

    I won't pay rent for the 2 months I'm away

    This is the first time I've heard of this. Why would they keep your stuff and not have you pay? The least you can do is pay them for utilities, which are often much less than your rent itself

    • drillvoice on 17/02/2018 - 15:19
      +1

      I wouldn't normally do this but in this case my partner is still there so in my mind it's like it becomes her stuff and is covered by her rent. But I can definitely see it makes sense for me to contribute something for the convenience of still having my stuff there.

      • steff on 17/02/2018 - 16:44
        +6

        Your partner is there while you're not and you still don't pay rent. For the time you're away?

        That's one hell of a bargain!

        • GaryQ on 18/02/2018 - 08:10
          +4

          Sounds like he means he and his partner split the room share cost between them, and she will still be paying her share

          House rent / 3 shares = $100 per room (for example)
          He and partner pay $50 each per week
          He will be gone for 2 months, stiffing the house of $400
          Somehow thinks that the room he still has in his possession should be paid for by his partner paying $100, or all of them chipping in to cover it

          Doesn't understand that if you rent a place and NEVER USE IT, the rent is still due

        • steff on 18/02/2018 - 09:35
          +5

          @GaryQ: yeah that's probably it.

          Doesn't understand that if you rent a place and NEVER USE IT, the rent is still due

          That's what I thought as well. I've never heard of not having to pay rent just because you're on holiday

    • ronnknee on 18/02/2018 - 10:36
      +2

      We all see seek bargains here. Some people with a sense of entitlement feel the need to create "bargains" at the expense of others.

      • drillvoice on 19/02/2018 - 16:46

        Yeah it's been great getting other's perspective on this to help me see it from a more realistic angle.

  • Some Guy on 17/02/2018 - 15:11
    +5

    No you shouldn't pay for utilities, other than supply charges. But you should pay for storage of your things.

  • dasher86 on 17/02/2018 - 15:13
    +15

    You should have to pay for rent and utilities.
    The only way you should get out of this is if someone else takes your bed while you're gone.
    Reminds me of Barnaby… I'm paying for a house for my wife and kids.

    • GaryQ on 18/02/2018 - 08:11

      If his girlfriend is hot, I might be able to contribute

  • o53djz7qTPY4der on 17/02/2018 - 15:13
    +9

    You've done well to get rent-free for two months. Just pay the utilities - it'll be insignificant.

  • [Deactivated] on 17/02/2018 - 15:15
    +6

    dont pay
    dont come back

    • drillvoice on 17/02/2018 - 15:19

      Haha I think I'll probably come back.

      • Baysew on 17/02/2018 - 18:09
        +2

        Don't forget to borrow $10k on the way out.

  • ozhunter on 17/02/2018 - 15:16
    +5

    We've agreed that I won't pay rent for the 2 months I'm away

    You've already got lucky with that arrangement. I think they rather have someone who is actually there to share the expenses, (it's why you're all in a sharehouse).

    Definitely at least need to pay the supply charges. And if you're there for ANY amount of time, you need to pay the usage expenses.

    • drillvoice on 17/02/2018 - 15:21
      +2

      Thanks for your thoughts - good to get put straight on this one! I think the thing is that because it's a 3BR house when I go there will still be 3 people splitting the bills - so I see having me there almost as 'bonus' as opposed to the status quo…but I think you're right that I've got a good deal and shouldn't take advantage.

      • ozhunter on 17/02/2018 - 15:30

        Just like going on a holiday, though 2 months is quite long so I can see how they let you off the rent.

  • Randxyz123 on 17/02/2018 - 15:22

    Is your partner staying in the share house?

    If not, you are getting basically free storage. Utilities are what $100 a week?? Also if your partner is there won't they be paying anyway?

  • Toons on 17/02/2018 - 15:28
    +8

    It is actually no different to any holiday you don't cancel all you're services while you're away then reconnect everything. The difference is on your own you would still have rent or mortgage to pay too.

    I think you got a good deal with them agreeing you don't pay rent while you're away.

    You're going back to live with them why cause a load of tension for something IMO you should be doing anyway.

    Make it easy for yourself.

    You said it yourself even your partner agrees with them.

  • bobbified on 17/02/2018 - 15:28
    +12

    If the people who are living there don't have the opportunity to rent the place out because your stuff is there and you're coming back, then you should actually pay the rent. They're holding the place for when you come back and they're being nice to you already about not paying that rent. Someone has to cover your part of the rent while you're away and it's going to be your other housemates.

    With the utilities, the service charges are still payable regardless of whether you're there or not so you should at least share in that part while you're away.

  • CyberMurning on 17/02/2018 - 15:35
    +7

    Actually should be the other way around. Your stuffs are still there so you pay for your room (storage). Full.

    Your stuffs can't surf internet or taking shower so you don't have to pay bills.

    Why so difficult….

    • gimli on 17/02/2018 - 17:23
      +1

      Agree with this

      Definitely some things like electricity/water bill you won't contribute too so bill should be cheaper
      Internet usually is a flat rate each month so don't think it can be avoided
      Rent - you should pay unless someone else uses the room

      • CyberMurning on 17/02/2018 - 17:31
        +1

        Yeah.
        Logic here. Use=pay.
        His clothes are use the room space = pay.
        He is not using internet = no pay.

        Unless you happy the landlord turn your room into nightly airbnb to strangers.

      • GaryQ on 18/02/2018 - 09:00
        +1

        Don't forget to use a stop watch to time showers and count the flushes to split the water and gas bills fairly

  • jace88 on 17/02/2018 - 16:23
    +2

    Unless the service/utility/etc has a usage-driven price (eg electricity) then the fixed costs (eg internet which is typically a set cost per month) remain the same whether you use them or not. Given you are still residing there (even if you aren't physically present), I would have expected you to keep paying for those services if I were one of the other housemates.

  • try2bhelpful on 17/02/2018 - 16:27
    +10

    No offence but if I was your partner I would be looking around for what else was available whilst you were away. If I was in your shoes I would be extremely grateful they aren't charging the rent and would not have made a peep about the utilities. I'm just waiting for the next post which is "my partner has replaced me whilst I was away and threw me out saying I was a niggardly b##tard".

    • GaryQ on 18/02/2018 - 09:01

      OMG you said niggardly! /s

  • volcanoeqcycle on 17/02/2018 - 16:49
    +1

    OP, do what you think is right in your heart.

  • myusername on 17/02/2018 - 16:59

    wow i charged my flatmates still for the use of the room when they go over seas for a holiday, i tell them not to worry about utilities just pay rent still, normally i would charge $220/week. i drop them down to $120 when they're on holidays.

    the reasoning behind this is that they're still using the room

  • josetann on 17/02/2018 - 17:22
    +1

    I think it's pretty simple.

    Three rooms. At least three people have agreed to pay at least 1/3 of the bills (rent, utilities, etc.). All good so far.

    I'm assuming the arrangement is that your partner is the one staying in the room and liable for her third. If you live there, you should contribute something. You're not taking away anyone else's exclusive use area (their bedrooms), but you are sharing the shared areas. You should also chip in for utilities. You can make this as formal or informal as you like, just be aware that there's pros and cons for both.

    If it were me, I'd say you wouldn't have to pay toward utilities while you're away. You also wouldn't owe the other flatemates any additional money for using shared areas (because you're not). You WOULD owe your partner something for keeping your stuff in the room she's paying 1/3 of the rent for. If she doesn't charge you, fine, but you still "owe' that. If she says no rent but pay part of the utilities…is the $$$ amount reasonable for storing your stuff and keeping you a place available (remember, you don't have to get a motel while looking for a place to stay when you get back…just show up and start paying rent again)? If the answer's yes, just pay it. Up to you whether you say "well, I shouldn't have to pay utilities, but it's entirely reasonable to expect $$$ in exchange for keeping my stuff here while I'm gone" or not.

    Do note that if everything's informal and she decides to move out while you're gone (or that she doesn't want you to live there anymore), there's really nothing you can do.

  • SnoozeAndLose on 17/02/2018 - 17:22

    It will be the same as if you rent a room from an agemt, will they discount you if you go on holiday. The same for electrity and internet.

    If no one got discount why you wpuld have the discount when away?

    If your friemd offer you discount you are lucky, if not it is reasonable and accptable.

    If you are them what would you do in the same situation.

  • Tech5 on 17/02/2018 - 18:05

    Anything that does not change price with you gone, you need to still pay. TBH, rent, internet and water charges are the main ones. Only electricity should you not have to pay.

  • gimli on 17/02/2018 - 18:05
    +1

    Also OP can you clarify what the current rent arrangement is?

    I get the feeling rent/bill is split three ways between 1)yourself/partner 2)housemate 3)housemate

  • cheapisgood on 17/02/2018 - 18:16
    +1

    Youre lucky you do not have to pay rent. Effectively speaking, they are losing money by doing you a favour.

  • Quantumcat on 17/02/2018 - 19:14
    +2

    I think you should pay rent AND utilities - your stuff is there and it isn't possible to rent your room out to someone else to recover the money.

  • endotherm on 17/02/2018 - 20:15
    +1

    I get the impression your stuff is in a shared room with your partner, who is paying their share of the rent. Leaving your stuff behind shouldn't cost you anything because you two are paying for one room and the others are paying for one each. Seeing your partner is still there it won't affect the others in the slightest. I assume you contribute with your partner for your room. As long as the same money is coming in to cover the rent, there shouldn't be a problem. It would be rude to withdraw your contribution and have everyone else have to pay more because of it. If you are splitting the rent 4 ways, then you probably should pay your fair share, and should consider yourself ahead if they waive your contribution for this period. Think what it would be like if you were left there alone while everyone else went on holidays. You'd be left with the whole bill, which isn't fair.

    In terms of utility SUPPLY, I would think you are still liable, even if you don't use it. Once again it is unfair for the others to pick up the expense because you aren't there for a period, but expect it to still be connected when you get back (you have avoided any disconnect/reconnect fees etc). I think it's fair not to contribute to usage, as your overall usage should drop and once again, it shouldn't affect the others unfavourably. This is probably the best you can hope for — if you were living in a single household, most utilities wouldn't just suspend your accounts with no charge just because you go away for a holiday. If you are ahead in terms of not having to pay your quarter of the rent, it might serve you well to offer to make a contribution towards utilities even though you aren't using them.

    • Eeples on 17/02/2018 - 21:57

      I think he and his partner may only pay 1/3 of the rent.

    • drillvoice on 19/02/2018 - 16:48

      Yeah this is pretty much the situation and I think you're right about paying for utility supply. My partner and I do pay rent for the room but in effect this includes an extra paid not for the room but for having an extra person using other spaces in the house.

  • Baghern on 17/02/2018 - 21:47

    Im surprised they let you off rent.

    Its not like they can quickly bring someone in to fill the gap. Reservation of a spot you can come back to is the same as actually being there.

    But yeah paying utility supply is more than fair

  • Eeples on 17/02/2018 - 21:56
    +1

    Say the total rent is $600 for the property.

    Does everyone pay $150 each in rent or is it $200 each for the other two and you and your partner pay $100 each.

    If the former then your partner and two others have to pay $50ea more to cover your rent.
    If the latter your partner and the two others have to pay $33ea more to cover your rent.

    I’m amazed that would remain a harmonious house and cause no ill feeling.

    Similarly are the utilities split 3 or 4 ways?

    And I would be doubley amazed if not paying your share of utilities while you are away, especially considering the rent increases for them….. would not cause an issue.

  • jjjaar on 18/02/2018 - 00:49
    +2

    Your housemates shouldn't be penalised because you've changed your mind and want to be somewhere else for two months. Yes ok maybe usage charges for water but electricity (they can't turn your portion of the fridge off) and Internet are likely quite set costs that won't vary without you there. Their budgets should not be compromised because you want to do your own thing.

  • [Deactivated] on 18/02/2018 - 07:41
    +1

    You may not be there, but they are not in a position to replace you either, technically you are just on hiatus. Nobody gets a break from bills just because they took a trip away unless they are a transient. Telecom contracts are usually 2 years, if you lived alone, you would not have the option of cutting it off unless you had completed the contract.

  • Carita on 18/02/2018 - 08:02
    +5

    So your housemates have to pay more rent for 2 months, just because you decided to live elsewhere for 2 months. No way that seems fair!

  • ronnknee on 18/02/2018 - 10:33
    +4

    it's a different situation from going on a holiday or something.

    How so? It's the same as going away on a 2 month holiday. You're going to be temporarily away and you will return.

    You should be paying both rent and utilities until you cease to be their housemate.

  • HeWhoKnows on 18/02/2018 - 17:01
    +1

    Mate, if nobody takes your place you should pay your share of everything INCLUDING RENT!
    If you find somebody else to take your place then they pay your share of everything.
    So stop whinging about minor costs. Your flat mates have kindly waivered your rent. You should be thankful.
    Im glad you dont live with me. What a scrooge!

  • Yola on 19/02/2018 - 16:15

    I think you should pay your normal rent, supply charges and internet as its a fixed amount.

  • kaleidoscope on 21/02/2018 - 02:14
    +1

    You must.. (not you should)

  • tonyjzx on 02/03/2018 - 10:24

    amazing negotiator, the bet deals

    you should work for trump

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