Apartment Utility Bills Split Calculator
Instructions for Use:
- Enter the Total Electricity Bill (in USD).
- Enter the Total Water Bill (in USD).
- Enter the Total Internet Bill (in USD).
- Enter the Number of Residents sharing the bills.
- Click the “Split Bills” button to calculate each resident’s share of the bills.
Sharing an apartment with roommates can save you money, but it also comes with the responsibility of splitting various bills. One of the most common sources of confusion is how to divide the utility bills. Utility costs can include electricity, water, gas, internet, and more, and these can vary each month. To ensure fairness and transparency, it’s essential to have a clear way of calculating each person’s share.
This guide will help you understand how to fairly divide apartment utility bills and provide you with a Utility Bills Split Calculator to make the process easier.
Key Utility Bills to Consider
- Electricity:
This includes power for lighting, heating, cooling, and powering appliances. The electricity bill can fluctuate depending on usage, time of year, and the efficiency of the appliances in your apartment. - Water and Sewer:
Typically, this covers the water used for drinking, bathing, washing clothes, and other household needs. Some apartments include sewer costs in the water bill, while others may separate them. - Gas:
Gas is used for cooking, heating, and sometimes water heating. Like electricity, gas usage can vary depending on the season and the number of people in the apartment. - Internet:
Internet bills are often flat-rate and can be a fixed cost every month. Some roommates may want to share this evenly, while others may have more intense usage. - Trash and Recycling:
Trash removal is sometimes included in the rent but can also be a separate utility cost. It’s important to track this so that everyone pays their fair share. - Other Utilities:
Some apartments may also have utility charges for cable TV, security systems, or parking. These can also be shared, depending on your agreement.
How to Fairly Split Utility Bills
When splitting utility bills, there are several common methods you can use:
- Equal Split:
This is the simplest method where all roommates share the total utility costs equally. This works best when everyone has similar usage. - Usage-Based Split:
If one roommate uses more of a particular utility (for example, leaving lights on all day or taking long showers), you can divide the bills based on individual usage. This can be tracked through meters (if available) or estimations based on patterns. - Room Size-Based Split:
If your apartment has rooms of significantly different sizes, you may want to split the bills based on the size of the room each person occupies. Larger rooms might have a higher share of utility costs. - Income-Based Split:
If some roommates have higher incomes than others, they may agree to pay a larger share of the utilities. This is a more equitable solution for some. - Combination Split:
You can also combine different methods. For example, you could split the rent evenly but adjust utility payments based on usage or room size.
Example: Utility Bill Split for a 3-Roommate Apartment
Let’s assume you live with two roommates in a 3-bedroom apartment. Here are the total utility costs for the month:
- Electricity: $150
- Water and Sewer: $75
- Gas: $50
- Internet: $60
- Trash and Recycling: $30
Total monthly utility costs: $365
Step-by-Step Equal Split Calculation:
If you decide on an equal split, you can simply divide the total by the number of roommates.
- Total utility cost: $365
- Number of roommates: 3
Each person’s share = $365 ÷ 3 = $121.67 per person
Step-by-Step Usage-Based Split Calculation:
If you want to calculate based on utility usage, you might have the following usage breakdown:
- Roommate 1: 40% of electricity, 30% of water, 50% of gas
- Roommate 2: 30% of electricity, 40% of water, 30% of gas
- Roommate 3: 30% of electricity, 30% of water, 20% of gas
Here’s how to calculate each person’s share:
- Electricity:
- Roommate 1: 40% × $150 = $60
- Roommate 2: 30% × $150 = $45
- Roommate 3: 30% × $150 = $45
- Water and Sewer:
- Roommate 1: 30% × $75 = $22.50
- Roommate 2: 40% × $75 = $30
- Roommate 3: 30% × $75 = $22.50
- Gas:
- Roommate 1: 50% × $50 = $25
- Roommate 2: 30% × $50 = $15
- Roommate 3: 20% × $50 = $10
- Internet (flat-rate, so equally divided):
- Roommate 1: $60 ÷ 3 = $20
- Roommate 2: $60 ÷ 3 = $20
- Roommate 3: $60 ÷ 3 = $20
- Trash and Recycling (flat-rate, so equally divided):
- Roommate 1: $30 ÷ 3 = $10
- Roommate 2: $30 ÷ 3 = $10
- Roommate 3: $30 ÷ 3 = $10
Now, let’s calculate the total for each person:
- Roommate 1:
- Electricity: $60
- Water: $22.50
- Gas: $25
- Internet: $20
- Trash: $10
- Total = $137.50
- Roommate 2:
- Electricity: $45
- Water: $30
- Gas: $15
- Internet: $20
- Trash: $10
- Total = $120
- Roommate 3:
- Electricity: $45
- Water: $22.50
- Gas: $10
- Internet: $20
- Trash: $10
- Total = $107.50
Apartment Utility Bills Split Calculator
Now, use this easy-to-follow table to calculate your utility bill split:
Utility Type | Total Cost | Roommate 1 Share (%) | Roommate 2 Share (%) | Roommate 3 Share (%) | Roommate 1 Cost | Roommate 2 Cost | Roommate 3 Cost |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Electricity | $150 | 40% | 30% | 30% | $60 | $45 | $45 |
Water and Sewer | $75 | 30% | 40% | 30% | $22.50 | $30 | $22.50 |
Gas | $50 | 50% | 30% | 20% | $25 | $15 | $10 |
Internet | $60 | 33.33% | 33.33% | 33.33% | $20 | $20 | $20 |
Trash and Recycling | $30 | 33.33% | 33.33% | 33.33% | $10 | $10 | $10 |
Total Cost per Roommate | $137.50 | $120 | $107.50 |
Tips for Fair Utility Bill Splitting
- Communicate Clearly:
Before you even sign the lease, make sure all roommates are on the same page about how the bills will be divided. This avoids confusion and potential conflicts later. - Track Usage:
If you’re using the usage-based split, it can help to keep track of your utility usage throughout the month, so there’s no ambiguity about who’s using what. - Use Bill-Splitting Apps:
There are several apps like Splitwise and Venmo that can help you manage and split bills efficiently, so no one forgets to pay or track how much they owe. - Review Regularly:
Some months may see fluctuations in utility costs. Make sure to check the bills regularly and adjust the split if necessary, especially if one roommate moves out or a new one moves in.
FAQs About Splitting Utility Bills
Q: Should we include all utilities in the split?
It depends on what is agreed upon by all roommates. Some may choose to only split the major utilities like electricity and water, while others may include internet and trash removal.