Case #10360 Flatmates

My flatmate wants the heating on 24/7 and split the bill equally. Fair?

The jury has spoken.

7,233 jurors Β· 359 asked for more information

The complainant 50%
The flatmate 20%
Both 29%
Neither 1%

Top jury comment

Working from home is a real cost and it shouldn't land on the person who isn't there. 60/40 is generous.

640 agree

Read all 6 comments

Verdicts are the opinions of people who voted here, based on one side's account. The majority is not always right.

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The complainant says

We moved in together in September. I work in an office four days a week and I'm out most evenings. My flatmate works from home full time and likes the flat warm, so the heating is basically on all day from October to March. I'm a hoodie and blanket person and would happily have it on for an hour in the morning and a few hours at night.

The winter bills have been brutal. I suggested that since they're home all day and want it much warmer, they should pay a larger share, maybe 60/40. They were really offended and said we agreed to split bills equally when we signed the contract.

The other side says the flatmate, as the complainant tells it

They say we did agree 50/50 and it isn't fair to change the deal because one person's routine is different. They point out I have long showers and use the tumble dryer a lot, and that they can't work properly when their hands are cold. They also feel that splitting by usage would turn every bill into an argument.

Deliver your own verdict

Jury discussion (6 comments)

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  1. Juror 6809 Voted: The complainant

    Working from home is a real cost and it shouldn't land on the person who isn't there. 60/40 is generous.

    640 Agree 6 Funny 20 Hmm
    1. Juror 1952 Voted: The complainant

      Agreed. My employer even pays a working from home allowance for exactly this reason.

      210 Agree 1 Funny 4 Hmm
    2. Juror 3571 Voted: The flatmate

      But they agreed a deal at the start. You can't renegotiate every time the weather changes.

      180 Agree 2 Funny 35 Hmm
  2. Juror 4285 Voted: The complainant

    24/7 heating from October is wild to me. Put a jumper on.

    455 Agree 160 Funny 40 Hmm
  3. Juror 5190 Voted: Both have a point

    The tumble dryer thing is a fair counterpoint. Energy splits get messy fast.

    520 Agree 3 Funny 70 Hmm
  4. Juror 2666 Voted: Both have a point

    Smart thermostat, set hours, and they get a heated throw for the daytime. Everyone wins.

    390 Agree 15 Funny 12 Hmm

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Part of Flatmates. Submitted 19 days ago. Verdicts show what the people who voted here think, based on one side's account. The majority is not necessarily right, and nobody in this case should be identifiable. If you recognise yourself or someone else, please tell us.

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