Divvying up costs can be one of the most contentious issues you encounter in a share house.
Sitting down and having a plan early will help ensure everyone is on the same page, and hopefully help avoid fights down the track.
To make sure everyone is on the same page when it comes to paying bills, here are some common ways households share the burden.
Splitting rent
- The equal split – Everyone pays the same amount regardless of how much space they use.
- The calculation method – Work out the percentage of space each person occupies in terms of their room size and then split the rent accordingly.
- Negotiation – Sit down and nut out a deal that all housemates agree to then record the agreement in writing. Figure out how much each person will pay and who will be responsible for collecting the money and handling the final payment.
Splitting the food bill and utilities
When it comes to household bills including food, gas, electricity and WiFi, splitting the cost can be tricky, especially if housemates have certain dietary requirements and different lifestyles.
It can be a huge point of contention if one person takes more than they can contribute, so finding a fair arrangement is essential.
Here are some common approaches to general household bills.
- Buy your own – Allot your space in the cupboards and fridge. Buy whatever you like and don’t eat any of your flatmate’s food. Each housemate can also get their own WiFi and split utility bills equally. The upside is less fighting over bills. The downside is it’s more expensive and less sharing and therefore less opportunities to bond.
- Shared plate – This is when you buy groceries for the household and split the bill. This can work really well, but you need to be accepting of other people’s food likes and dislikes. You will need to set a budget and need to figure out how to share the grocery shopping duties, as it can cause tension if the weekly shop falls to one person. When it comes to utilities, these will also be split equally.
- The kitty – This is where you generally buy your own food but contribute to a main fund that buys the staples. This includes milk, bread and dishwashing detergent.
Sharing apps
Made specifically for share houses, there are several different apps that allow you to upload bills, split them and then track who has paid their share.
These include: easyshare, Splitr, Splitwise and Finch and can be used for rent, utilities and grocery bills.
Learn more about bills in share homes.