How should electricity and gas bills be split in a share house?

Bills should be split pro-rata by days lived there. Calculate the cost per day by dividing the total bill by the number of days it covers, then multiply by the number of days each person lived there, divided by the number of people living there on those days. This prevents arguments when people move in or out mid-quarter.

Who is legally responsible for paying an electricity bill in a share house?

Whoever's name is on the electricity account is legally liable for the entire bill to the retailer, not just their share. If housemates don't pay their portion, the account holder is pursued and it can affect their credit record, so never put your name on an account you don't trust.

What should you do when a housemate moves out?

Take a meter reading and photograph it on the day they leave to turn any dispute into simple arithmetic. Settle an estimate for their final bill before they go, then adjust the amount when the actual bill arrives. Chasing money from someone who has already moved out rarely works.

What is the winter bill and why do international students get caught by it?

In Australian share houses, the winter bill (covering June and July) can be several times larger than a summer bill due to heating costs from cold weather. International students often don't budget for this significant increase before it arrives.

What agreement should housemates write down about bills?

Write down three key points: bills are split by days lived there, not evenly; whoever's name is on an account is repaid within seven days of showing the bill; and meter readings are taken and photographed when anyone moves in or out. Document this in writing on move-in day.

Utilities & Bills in Australian Share Houses | AusBridge

In Australian share houses, bills for electricity, gas, water, and internet are typically billed quarterly and should be split between tenants based on the number of days each person lived there during that period, not evenly per quarter. The person whose name appears on the account is legally liable for the entire bill to the retailer, not just their share, so credit risk falls on that individual if housemates don't pay. The most important practices are: taking meter readings with photos when people move in or out, agreeing on splitting methods on move-in day rather than when bills arrive, settling payment estimates before someone leaves, and documenting the agreement in writing. Council rates are the landlord's responsibility, not tenants', and if you're asked to pay them, you should inquire why.

FAQ

How should electricity and gas bills be split in a share house?: Bills should be split pro-rata by days lived there. Calculate the cost per day by dividing the total bill by the number of days it covers, then multiply by the number of days each person lived there, divided by the number of people living there on those days. This prevents arguments when people move in or out mid-quarter.
Who is legally responsible for paying an electricity bill in a share house?: Whoever's name is on the electricity account is legally liable for the entire bill to the retailer, not just their share. If housemates don't pay their portion, the account holder is pursued and it can affect their credit record, so never put your name on an account you don't trust.
What should you do when a housemate moves out?: Take a meter reading and photograph it on the day they leave to turn any dispute into simple arithmetic. Settle an estimate for their final bill before they go, then adjust the amount when the actual bill arrives. Chasing money from someone who has already moved out rarely works.
What is the winter bill and why do international students get caught by it?: In Australian share houses, the winter bill (covering June and July) can be several times larger than a summer bill due to heating costs from cold weather. International students often don't budget for this significant increase before it arrives.
What agreement should housemates write down about bills?: Write down three key points: bills are split by days lived there, not evenly; whoever's name is on an account is repaid within seven days of showing the bill; and meter readings are taken and photographed when anyone moves in or out. Document this in writing on move-in day.