Have moved into a new student house. Our electricity/gas (through EDF) is in everyone's name. We've just received our first bill. However, there seems to be a bit of confusion about how this bills should be paid. One of my housemates was talking about talking the bills splitting the cost and everyone individually paying their bit directly to the company while another is under the impression that despite it being in all our names, that we can only send one payment. We haven't had any luck trying to get hold of customer services to clarify but was wondering if anyone knew the answer.
2007-10-26 11:00:04 · 10 answers · asked by LMS 3 in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
You should probably send one check as payment, and have the other tenants pay the person who writes the final check. My experiences with sending multiple checks for one bill is that the dimwits on the other end will invariably screw up crediting the payment properly if more than one check is involved.
That sort of data nightmare isn't easy to correct. It's not worth the risk.
2007-10-26 11:04:23 · answer #1 · answered by acermill 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
As long as everybody's name is on the bill, everybody can send a check and/or money order. Just make sure the account number is on the payment, that helps clear up some of the confusion (once the company gets the money) as to which account to credit.
It would be much easier to have one person collect the money and then write the check but your run the risk of paying for one of your roommates if they don't have the money.
It probably wouldn't be possible to get a joint bank account because banks usually only allow two people to an account. Plus if someone hasn't deposited their share of money and you just take the whole amount from the account, you'd be cutting into another roommates deposited money.
2007-10-26 18:18:01 · answer #2 · answered by klgirlie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You would be better off having one person send in one check for the full amount! Have everyone pay one person!
Or... Everyone go together to get a money order and make sure money order is made out to that company, and send that in.
Never send more than one check, due to the way businesses open mail and keep track of the billing, one of the checks is bound to be lost or credited to the wrong account.
Good luck.. Take Care...
2007-10-26 18:09:49 · answer #3 · answered by Jennifer C 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In my house where we split utility bills, it was just under one person's name (mine) since I was the official tenant of the house. Then I had to get everyone to pay their part to me, and I paid the bill. It mostly worked, except when a few people were behind in their payments, and then it was a problem for me since I was getting low on money.
But if you all pay separately, you might want to have a system to make sure that everyone actually does pay, or they might cut off your utilities if the balance isn't paid when it should be. Setting up a joint bank account to pay bills with might work, and you can just send one cheque from there.
I don't think the company cares who the cheque is from as long as they get their money, so however you decide to do it should work for them.
2007-10-26 18:06:18 · answer #4 · answered by Ellenaj 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Your supplier wont accept a bit from one tenant, and then another bit from another tenant. The bill comes as a whole and its up to you all to "put in the pot" at the same time, proportionately, and then the whole amount paid in one lump sum to clear the outstanding amount. That's the way they work, and the way you'll have to organise your finances for the future. You all have a commitment to pay your part and ot to let the others down.
2007-10-26 18:30:34 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You should collect everyones share of the ££ and go to bank to pay or use a debit card and give the ££ to who evers card it is. You should pay the bill as one lump sum. You could all send seperate payments but because everyones name is on bill it wouldnt matter if all but one of you paid, you would all be liable as everyones name is on bill
2007-10-26 18:12:40 · answer #6 · answered by Coco v 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Everyone should pay their portion and then get a money order and then send out your payment. Most places will not accept different payments for the same bill.
2007-10-26 18:06:38 · answer #7 · answered by naturegirlhd 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
no you can all pay a bit, also long as it accompanies the giro slip usually attached at the bottom of the bill.
if you are all paying by cheque, then send them all together with the slip.
otherwise, best to give the money to one person and have them pay it.
why dont you just get the cash out the bank and go pay it at your local bank or post office. saves a hell of a lot of trouble.
2007-10-28 19:54:14 · answer #8 · answered by Paul S 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why dont you all just put your cash in a kitty and everyone takes turns in sharing the responsibiltiy in getting it paid??
Im sure the supplier would oblidge although he may make charges for the extra admin it will cause
2007-10-27 23:54:49 · answer #9 · answered by stormydays 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you should split the bills
2007-10-27 10:19:22 · answer #10 · answered by littlemissgio 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋