College Utility Bills and Summer

[Coltsfan33]

Ok, I would like some input on your thoughts.

Some roommates moved home for the summer, while some stayed at our house in Muncie. Should the roommates who moved home for the summer be required to pay for the electricity/water/sanitary bills if they aren't staying at the house? What about cable/internet? That bill is under a 12 month contract. Or should that be split only by the tenants staying. Everyone is on the lease until August, so everyone will still be paying rent for another 2 months. The bills have sort of became an issue. We live in a fairly large house... (8 Roomates) and our bills aren't cheap if we don't split it evenly 8 ways.

What are your opinions on this?

Thanks.

 

[GodFearinGunTotin]

If they're on the lease, they should pay something, especially if none of the utilities will let you off the hook. If nobody was there all summer, you'd all be on the hook for the minimum bills. Those that are living there are running up the water, sewer, and electric bills and should pay the extra that wouldn't be there if you all stayed home.

Things like cable and internet, assuming they wouldn't shut it down for summer, everybody should pay their normal share. Now, if they would shut it off for the summer, and there'd be no cost, then the folks staying there and using it should pay the whole thing.

I guess in short, whatever bill would be there whether anybody was there or not--everybody pays the fair share. Any bill that wouldn't be there or any extra that wouldn't be there but for the fact people are staying in the house--those staying should pay.

 

[SkinNFluff]

I feel the ones using the utilities should pay for them, but then again if I go on vacation I am still responsible for the bills at my place while I am away.

 

[Cameramonkey]

As others have said:

If its a flat fee 12 month contract like internet or cable (sans PPV fees) you all owe it if it wouldnt be/couldnt be terminated over summer break.
The consumable based utilities like water/sewer and power should be paid by those left behind. Worst case those leaving should be ONLY liable for any base rate fees that would be there as the house sat empty (some utilities always charge SOMETHING even if nothing was actually consumed)