How to split service charge, diesel and electricity fairly

Fixed costs

Service charge, security, waste and internet are the same whoever is at home. Split them equally, or in the same ratio as rent when rooms differ greatly in size.

Variable costs

• Equal split: simplest, and fine when schedules are similar.
• Rent ratio: reasonable when one person has a much larger room with an air conditioner.
• Metered: fairest where each unit or room is separately metered.
• Usage adjustment: agree in advance how a long absence is handled.

Keep one record

• One shared note or spreadsheet with date, item, amount and who paid.
• Photograph every prepaid meter top-up and diesel receipt.
• Settle monthly, on a fixed date, rather than letting balances build.
• Never pay a shared bill in cash without a receipt.