How should flatmates split a heating bill when one bedroom is much colder?
Housing"You chose the room with the big window," my flatmate said when I asked to leave the heating on later. I chose it in August, when a big window seemed like a benefit.
Our rent shares are already agreed, and we split the household energy bill equally. Her bedroom stays comfortable with the evening heating schedule. Mine is cold enough that I keep my coat on to read. I asked for two extra hours at night; she said she shouldn't have to pay for heating a whole flat when she is already warm.
The latest bill is £164, compared with £106 on the previous one. Neither of us can tell how much of that change came from the heating schedule, the weather or other usage. I haven't asked her to refund anything. We have reported the cold room to the landlord, but no one has assessed it yet.
For the next few weeks, what would be a fair agreement about the schedule and the bill? I want the room usable without making her responsible for every increase or pretending my choice in August answered the winter question.