How to split rent and bills with flatmates
The short answer. Keep one shared group for the flat. Split rent by room, using exact amounts or shares, and split bills and shared groceries equally. Let it all run as one balance and settle up once a month, in as few payments as possible.
What works
- Agree the rent split before you move in. A bigger room or a private bathroom usually pays more. Write the rule down as exact amounts or as shares, for example 3 shares for the big room and 2 for the small one.
- Split bills equally unless usage is wildly different. Electricity, internet and water are rarely worth metering per person.
- Only share what's shared. Groceries for the flat go in the group; someone's own food doesn't. A receipt can be split item by item when a shop is half shared, half personal.
- Don't pay each other back for every expense. Let one balance run all month and settle on a fixed day, such as the day rent is due.
- Agree who pays the landlord. One person paying the full rent and being paid back is simplest, as long as it's written down.
How to do it in Halv
- Create a group for the flat. Set its default currency. Every flatmate sees the same expenses and balances.
- Invite your flatmates. Share the invite link, or add someone before they've installed Halv. They can claim their history when they join.
- Add rent when it's paid. Use exact amounts when rooms cost different amounts, or shares for a ratio. Halv has no recurring expenses, so add rent each month when it goes out.
- Add bills and groceries. Split them equally, and pick a category like Utilities or Groceries. For a mixed shop, scan the receipt and tap only the shared items. Discounts come off the whole bill.
Mike's page: one number, with the rent and bills behind it. - Settle once a month. Open the group's payments to see who pays whom in as few payments as possible. If you'd rather everyone paid the person they actually owe, turn off “Simplify debts” in the group's settings. Totals never change either way.
At the end of the month, two payments square the flat. - Pay back and mark it paid. Revolut opens with the amount filled in, or copy an IBAN or BLIK number for your banking app. New expenses start the next round.
Questions
How should flatmates split rent for rooms of different sizes?
Agree a ratio based on room size and features, then split each month's rent by it. In Halv that's either exact amounts per person or shares, for example 3 shares for the large room and 2 for each smaller one.
Does Halv add the rent automatically every month?
No. Halv doesn't have recurring expenses, so add the rent each month when it's paid. It takes a few seconds.
Can flatmates pay each other with BLIK in Halv?
Yes. A flatmate can save a BLIK phone number as how they like to be paid; Halv copies it so you can send a BLIK transfer from your banking app. Halv itself never moves money.
How often should flatmates settle up?
Once a month works for most flats: let one balance run and settle on a fixed day, such as when rent is due, in as few payments as possible.
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