How do I split the electric bill if I'm moving out?

Hey guys,

So I've just finished my academic year and I'm moving back home this weekend. The contract for the student house ends in September, and so my other two house mates have chosen to stay. One is staying because he has an internship and the other is looking for one. We only have electric bills - so no gas bills, and we're with SSE.

So my question is, how much exactly do I pay of the electric bill after I move out? Is it still a 1/3? I've told them that I shouldn't have to pay anything, because I wouldn't be here to be using any electricity - but they made a fair point by saying that the boiler is still running and so is the fridge. I'm still paying for broadband and water, since that's a fixed price. However, what do you guys think about the electric bill, how much of that should I pay after I've moved out?

Thanks a lot.

At least the fixed part of the electricity bill.

When you took out the contract did you know it would be until September 2015? If yes then it's your responsibility to pay.

Yes, I agreeeeee, but how much of it should I pay? Haha. That's my question.

Well what do you mean by "at least". I'm trying to understand if I should be paying part of the usage electric bill or not. And what would you define as a fixed part of the electric bill?

By at least I meant I think thats the absolute minimum you should pay, but really I would agree with HygieneTherapy15 that you are liable for one third of the bill total until the end of the contract.

Well that sucks, okay then. Thanks a bunch, guys.

Well that sucks, okay then. Thanks a bunch, guys.

Is there a meter so you know how much you've used until now? If you can find that out then see if you can agree with your housemates so that you pay a third of this amount. It's down to you and your housemates how you split it, the utility company won't care as long as they get the money.

I agree that you shouldn't have to pay for something you won't be using at all for the next three months.

Yes, I agreeeeee, but how much of it should I pay? Haha. That's my question.

Yes, that was the plan. Before I move out (this sunday) I was going to record the meter readings and submit that to SSE. And then split the bill between the three of us. Everything after that I thought would be split between the two of them, but I don't know. I am essentially not living here for the rest of the contract, which is the remaining of May, June, July and August.

You should pay the same amount as you've been paying all year. The house is still there for you, but you chose to go home.


Posted from TSR Mobile

Yeah, that seems fair, I don't see why they wouldn't agree to that unless they're unreasonable. The utility bill for the next three months should be less as there's only two of them in the house, and you shouldn't have to subsidize it if you're not there at all.

That's what I was thinking. But since a few people here have mentioned that I am liable to pay a third of the bill according to the contract, I'm a little confused. Does that mean that I need to rely on their generosity to be reasonable to the situation? Because technically they can enforce the terms of the contract on me?

Yeah, there's no formal arrangement so as the house contract is still in your name you would technically be liable for a portion of the bills.

However, given that you're not going to be there, it would be quite unreasonable for your other two housemates make you pay for what's going to be entirely their electricity usage, and they should pay half each for the usage after you've left.

However, given that you're not going to be there, it would be quite unreasonable for your other two housemates make you pay for what's going to be entirely their electricity usage, and they should pay half each for the usage after you've left.