Have you ever just moved in with new housemates and suddenly asking for a £10 cleaning share becomes extremely awkward? Don’t worry, we’ve all been there!
No one wants to keep chasing their flatmates for old utilities or rent bills, which only results in weird eye contact and uncomfortable silences. Splitting bills might sound difficult at first, but it doesn’t have to be!
It’s extremely common for people to forget who paid for what. Sometimes even you forget what you’ve paid for and arguments can ensue if tensions are caused surrounding money not being repaid! That’s why it’s so important to keep track of your and your housemates’ shared expenses.
Ways to overcome this:
What helped us the most in my flatshare was being transparent and honest with each other. One evening, we all sat in the dining room and divided tasks in terms of who would pay for what. We also decided to stay punctual by keeping track of expenses instantly so no one forgot anything. Along with this, we chose a specific date every month to clear all expenses and that way, nobody had to keep asking again and again.
Apps were a lifesaver for managing our expenses:
There are plenty of apps that aim to help you make payments and split costs, which are perfect for students!
- Splitwise: It just requires you to log expenses, and everyone is automatically informed about what they owe — no confusion at all!
- Monzo Split: If everyone in your flat uses Monzo, this feature automatically splits payments, making things so much easier.
What to do if someone misses a payment:
And finally, if someone forgets - it’s completely normal, especially with hectic student schedules! While it's important to get on top of these missed payments, instead of sending texts that might sound passive aggressive or cause misunderstandings, it’s always better to talk face-to-face.
Try to remember that for many people (possibly including yourself) this is the first time they have lived and managed their finances independently, so try to be patient but firm.
Clear, friendly communication helps avoid any bad beef and keeps your home environment happy and drama-free.
