Rising bills will create tension between housemates

The rising cost of household bills will cause more arguments between housemates over the coming months – with higher energy bills already causing friction, research reveals.

The findings from Comparethemarket show that eight out of ten (82%) people who live in shared rented properties say that rising bills will cause arguments within the next six months.

Nearly three-in-five (58%) say that higher energy bills are creating problems already between renters in shared homes.

And 49% of tenants in shared rented properties believe their housemates use more than their fair share of electricity.

Cost impact from housemates leaving the heating on

More than half (54%) of renters are concerned about the cost impact from housemates leaving the heating on for too long.

A similar proportion have frustrations with their housemates not switching lights off (54%), leaving appliances on (53%), and using the washing machine or dryer too often (45%) – all of which increase household energy usage and therefore household expenditure.

Other gripes include housemates taking long baths (50%) and using more than their fair share of communal groceries such as milk and toilet roll (52%), reflecting concerns around rising food prices and affording heating bills.

Renters are even moving homes due to tensions over household bills; 38% of housemates have ended up moving out and finding a new home due to arguments with housemates.

Shared home isn’t energy efficient

With nearly two-in-five (37%) tenants saying their shared home isn’t energy efficient, some landlords have taken steps to remedy this.

Nearly a third (31%) of landlords have installed a smart meter in the past 12 months, almost a quarter (23%) installed insulation, and one fifth (20%) have installed a more energy efficient boiler.

However, 22% of renters say their landlord has not done anything to make their home more efficient.

To be able to afford higher bills, more than half (53%) of renters say they will probably go into their overdraft.

More than two-fifths (45%) of people expect to take out additional loans, 51% think they’ll need to borrow money from friends or family, and nearly three-in-five (58%) say they will have to take on an additional job to help them pay their share of rising household bills.

‘Rising costs are impacting household budgets’

Alex Hasty, a director at Comparethemarket, said: “Rising costs are not only impacting household budgets but also friendships and relationships.

“In shared homes, conversations around energy efficiency and splitting bills may not be comfortable but are necessary at a time when financial anxiety is understandably high.

“To reduce risks of arguments, households can team up and search for ways to save money.

“By doing a quick comparison online, you can see what savings you could achieve on various bills, such as insurance, broadband or phone deals.”

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