I travel a lot for work. I was gone all but 2 weekends in Oct. While I was gone, my two roommates got cable and internet and failed to ask me about it. I know they are planning to split it 3 ways. I don't not want to pay. I don't watch TV except for the basic channels which I get in my room. When I'm home, I use the internet from the apartment above ours. That apartment said we could use their internet. I just happen to get signal in my room, and my 2 roommates don't get the signal. I haven't had a chance to talk to my roommates about it since I've been home from travelling all of 5 hrs. If I tell them I don't want to pay, does this seem unreasonable? Also, I will be gone most of nov on vacation. I already split the electric bill with them 3 ways even though on average I'm home 7-8 days a month.
2006-10-27 08:05:35 · 30 answers · asked by jdajadw 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Internet
It sounds perfectly reasonable, but I do not know on what terms you signed up to.
On decisions about joint finances all parties should be in agreement. This is unfair.
2006-10-31 05:42:01 · answer #1 · answered by Amanda K 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that if they did not discuss it with you before hand - and it is so important to confirm anything connected with flatmates and money, then you should not have to pay.
You can explain you won't use it and you don't watch the cable channels either - other necessary bills tend to be split three ways and rightly so since you are renting an apartment not staying at a hotel. But with a luxury like internet and cable, definately put your foot down - god knows what else they will add and expect you to pay for!
2006-10-27 08:20:54 · answer #2 · answered by Cherrypink 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How would you work it out? Do you only pay 7-8 days rent too? Clearly asking for some reduction wouldn't be unreasonable, but how would you quantify whose is whose?
If you don't use the internet at all, then you of course you shouldn't pay anything.
I lived with a couple once. We split everything 50-50 which was slightly annoying seeing as their 50% was 100% of my 50%!
Most annoying were taxi rides. I'd pay on the way there, they'd pay on the way back.
A house meeting is probably best. At least it's not unreasonable to raise you concerns.
2006-10-27 08:14:38 · answer #3 · answered by Paul E 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It wouldn't seem unreasonable to pay them, but if you really don't want to pay, then I guess your roommates should understand. However, nomrally when you live with other people, there should be some sort of connection or friendship with each other, and refusing to split up the payment seems kind of like making enemies. Because the cable and internet is really a communal thing and not just for one person, it would sort of be selfish to not pay, unless you are on a really tight budget.
2006-10-27 08:09:48 · answer #4 · answered by bloop87 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It's unreasonable for your room mates to ask you to foot the bill of something you don't want.
Let them know that you never wanted cable/internet and are happy with the set up you already have. Reassure them that by making this decision you will not refuse them the luxury of having these services and just don't use them. As you've already said, you don't really watch tv and use a different (free!!) internet connection than the one they have subscribed to, so it shouldn't be that hard to avoid the temptation of using it.
You could always use the fact that you pay way over your true share of the electric,etc to gloss this over for them.
Good luck.
2006-10-27 08:13:21 · answer #5 · answered by Oz 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Have an rent/room mate agreement? If not, get one in place.
You were lucky enough to get a signal, but your roommates were not that fortunate. What else did you expect them to do?
If they applied for the cable and internet and it's in their name and are paying for it, than no worries. It would be fair though, that if you use it, to pay part of the bill.
Utilities and rent are split equally .... Home or not home... unfortunately you don't get refunded for the times your not home. .
2006-10-27 08:21:32 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have internet, so you are all set. Fair is fair: If you use it, then PAY. But you don't, so you are all set. But maybe the guy upstairs would like you to help him with his bill? Would that be fair.
But let's say that they came up with a weekend rate for you. Let's say that the WHOLE BILL comes to $45 per month. Would $5 per weekend be a fair share? That means 2 weekends would be $10, and 4 weekends would be $40? (Nobody wants to be a darn bill collector).
Good luck
2006-10-27 08:13:18 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hello...I hink they are being a little unreasonable, as they did not ask you if you were able to split the bill 3 ways..explain to them that they will need to find a way to split it between them & explain your not there most of the time to enjoy it any way, dont get angry or fall out, be diplomatic, you know why they wanted it, its cool etc..but you are still not in a position to pay.if they are mates they will see that they should of had a house meeting before they bought it! XX
2006-10-27 08:11:28 · answer #8 · answered by Kerry A 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
As far as tv, if they had cable installed, the cable company may or may not have found your cable. Dont connect to the new connection and see if you still have it. Not knowing how you originally connected to the internet, I would guess that the apartment complex must be wired for internet already and you will not need to connect to the new connection either. Let them pay their own bill!
2006-10-27 08:13:27 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
You shouldn't pay and they should not expect it. But you will have to make sure you never watch TV or use the net except in your room.
How do you know they are planning to split it three ways if you have not discussed it with them ?
2006-10-27 08:17:45 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They should have asked you first. Talk to them before you do the "I'm not paying, I didn't ask for this" routine because you don't want to start things off on the wrong foot.
If they insist you pay, then you have to decide if it's worth parting with a little extra money each month to keep your friendship intact.
2006-10-27 08:15:10 · answer #11 · answered by Xander 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋