A
female
age
30-35,
*tellaforstar
writes:Hi guys, just would like some advice as to what to do regarding my selfish flatmates. I signed a lease for a flat with two girls last June but things didnt really go well and i didnt feel welcome in my own home. I basically moved in with my boyfriend while still paying rent and bills for my own flat. My problem is that although i have't even been in the flat for about 6 months i have been bullied into paying the huge costs of the bills, the same share as the other two. I have paid every time even though i work really hard in a pub for a minimum wage and have no money left after paying for everything they demand off me. Today I received a text saying i owe them £131 for gas and electricity that i didn't use a single solitary speck of. I am afraid to confront them but can't afford to pay two sets of bills, one at my boyfriend's flat (he shares with two other guys so we pay half of the bills since there are 4 of us using it) and one at the flat i don't use. Please help.
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bullied, flatmate, money, moved in, text Reply to this Question
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Fancy yourself as an agony aunt? Add your answer to this question! A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (7 April 2010): ok... what do i care about what you have to say? Ultimately, i disagree with you, as does the lady from the citizens advice so what you have to say only serves to annoy me rather than discourage. Thanks for taking the time to be a pain i'm sure there are many more people that you can bother with your misguided "help". Thanks to everyone else who gave me proper help i have spoken with the citizens advice and they say no contract was signed over utilities so legally all i have to pay is rent, and i have someone moving in in July. Woo hoo! Thanks again!
A
reader, anonymous, writes (4 April 2010): Just cause don't go way doesn't make it right you leave there and should be responsible for your share of the bargain unless your roommates had advise notice of thc changes* I would think you are the one trying to take advantage of the situation by having the excuse I'm not there so I should not pay my half of the bill nope I still agree no one is taking advantage of you!
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A
female
reader, stellaforstar +, writes (4 April 2010):
stellaforstar is verified as being by the original poster of the question oh and it is not like renting a house blah blah blah.. i pay my rent every month so you are incorrect. I disagree with paying the big bills for things that i didn't use. Not even in a petty way bit i didn't live there so the energy used was used entirely by those other two and therefore it follows logically that they should take responsibility and pay for their own uses rather than try and get someone else to pay THE EXACT SAME AMOUNT as them who have enjoyed the sky tv, dishwasher and dryer. No sorry, you are extremely off the mark.
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A
female
reader, stellaforstar +, writes (4 April 2010):
stellaforstar is verified as being by the original poster of the questionwhy on earth would i with my part time job pay for the high bills these girls are racking up?? Thanks for your opinion but don't worry i will be ignoring your crappy anonymous advice.
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A
reader, anonymous, writes (1 April 2010): It's a contract and I think you owe your half, its like I'm renting a house and tell the landlord I will not pay this month cause I was hardly there thats not how it works. If you had an agreement to split the bills three way than that should be respected, give them advance notice move out and stay with your boyfriend. I really don't think you are taking advantage of I really don't.
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A
female
reader, stellaforstar +, writes (1 April 2010):
stellaforstar is verified as being by the original poster of the questionthanks for the advice! Fortunately, the lease ends in July so i have no problems getting out i just wondered whether it was right that i refuse to pay for their utilities under the circumstances. I have decided to tell them where to stick it regarding the bills and if they turn nasty i will take the good advice given and approach the Cit. adv. people. Thank you all, it is good to know that i am not being unreasonable and that these girls are taking advantage.
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A
female
reader, DrPsych +, writes (1 April 2010):
 First of all, stop paying them money for a place you don't live in. They are taking advantage of your good nature.
Go to the citizens advice bureau and get some proper legal advice for free. A simple 'harassment' letter from a solicitor maybe enough to stop them pestering you. If you 'run away' then there is very little chance the landlord will take you to small claims court. You could just write to the landlord (get their details from your lease or the land registry) saying you have moved out due to conflict in the flat and send the keys back. This should be recorded delivery. It stops the landlord chasing you if these flat mates smash up the flat before they leave. You should also make sure bank accounts etc are coming to your current address, not this flat. You don't want these flatmates or future tenants having access to your personal mail. You also don't want to risk unpaid utility bills from now onwards being recorded on your credit file.
You could call these girl's bluff and say you are going to advertise for a replacement tenant. They won't want to risk crippin moving in will they? They will just find someone else to take the room who they 'vet' beforehand. You could always put an advert on gumtree saying flatmate wanted and you have every right to be in the flat as you are paying rent. If you don't want the bother, just run away...you will lose your deposit probably but it sounds like that is cheaper than keepin your flatmates in a warm flat!
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A
reader, anonymous, writes (1 April 2010): Just tell them you have decided to move into your flat with your boyfriend so give them notice.
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