How to Claim for Unpaid Shared Bills

When you pay bills on behalf of others who agreed to contribute, you have a legal right to recover their share. This applies to flatmates, joint purchasers, and group expenses.

Common scenarios: - Flatmate did not reimburse utility or council tax - Shared purchase disputes - Holiday expense splitting disagreements - Joint account disputes

Legal basis: If there was an agreement (even verbal) to share costs, and you paid more than your share, you can claim the excess from the others.

Essential evidence: - Tenancy agreement showing joint tenants - Utility bills in your name - Payment records showing you paid - Any written agreements about splitting

Helpful evidence: - Messages discussing bill splits - Bank statements showing your payments - Spreadsheets or records of shared expenses - Evidence they lived there during relevant period

Tips: - Keep records from the start of any house share - Send monthly summaries by message to create a paper trail - Screenshot any agreements about bill splitting

Typical claim value: £50 - £5,000

You can claim: - Their share of utilities (gas, electric, water) - Their share of council tax - Their share of broadband/TV packages - Any agreed shared expenses you covered - Interest from date of filing

Calculating shares: - Unless otherwise agreed, equal shares are assumed - Document any agreement for different proportions - Consider move-in/move-out dates for partial periods

Joint tenancy bills: If the bill or tenancy is in joint names, each person is "jointly and severally liable" - meaning the supplier can chase any one person for the full amount. If you pay it all, you can claim the others' shares.

Sole name bills: If bills are in your name only, you are legally responsible to the supplier. But if others agreed to contribute, you can claim their share from them.

Council tax: Usually, all adult residents are liable. If one person paid it all, they can claim contributions from others who agreed to share.