Bills, bills, bills.

[Anonymous]

We share a home with family.

MIL, SIL (and her family) and us (fam of 4). We all get along decently. But... my SIL and her husband are in charge of paying the utilities while MIL and my fam cover the mortgage. Well, in the winter, the gas bill gets enormous (its a very old house). They apparently were not able to keep up with the gas bill and told none of us, and now the gas has been disconnected. This affects the gas stove and the hot water heater.... so no cooking, and no warm showers.

MIL can afford to get it turned back on. We can pay to get it turned back on. BUT... should we? PS We're moving out next month. Thank goodness.

[Anonymous]

It doesn't really seem fair to have one family cover certain things and others other things, especially when one is more variable/unpredictable than the other (mortgage vs bills). Why don't you all pay a flat amount?

Yes, you should pay for one month (or split it with MIL). Then it's not your issue anymore.

[Anonymous]

If you can afford it, then you should pay it to keep all the children and elderly people comfortable. Only for a month.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you can afford it, then you should pay it to keep all the children and elderly people comfortable. Only for a month.

this

[Anonymous]

If the avg monthly cost of gas exceeds the avg monthly costs of what you and mil cover then you are taking advantage of the other family. Esp if they don't get to control heat use, etc.

Why not take the bills and divide by three (three families it seems) or pro rate on a per person basis (maybe one family has more kids)... That would seem more equitable.

[Anonymous]

OP what do you pay for? Is it the same amount as the monthly gas bill? Is her family the same size as yours?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If the avg monthly cost of gas exceeds the avg monthly costs of what you and mil cover then you are taking advantage of the other family. Esp if they don't get to control heat use, etc.

Why not take the bills and divide by three (three families it seems) or pro rate on a per person basis (maybe one family has more kids)... That would seem more equitable.

OP here... I agree, but this was MIL's idea, and this is her house, so we go along with what she wants to do.

The gas bill is extremely manageable about 5 months out of the year (under $100/month)..... but the cold months, it runs about $600 a month (*gasp*), which is why I think my MIL let them take on the utilities, since they are not helping with the mortgage payment. We tried to talk to MIL about a 3-way split, but she said it would be easier to do it her way. MIL and my family each pay $750/month toward the mortgage.

SIL explained that they were paying a little each month to keep the gas on, because they could not keep up with the large winter month bills, but eventually just could not keep up. Last month, they missed the payment entirely (she thought her DH paid it, he thought she did), and the missed payment is what apparently led to the disconnection. They were trying to get the bill caught up during the slow summer months.

I just found out that the entire bill is at $1300. And it has to be paid IN FULL to get the gas back on since it is disconnected.

[Anonymous]

Pay and have the gas turned back on and develop a new system.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We share a home with family.

MIL, SIL (and her family) and us (fam of 4). We all get along decently. But... my SIL and her husband are in charge of paying the utilities while MIL and my fam cover the mortgage. Well, in the winter, the gas bill gets enormous (its a very old house). They apparently were not able to keep up with the gas bill and told none of us, and now the gas has been disconnected. This affects the gas stove and the hot water heater.... so no cooking, and no warm showers.

MIL can afford to get it turned back on. We can pay to get it turned back on. BUT... should we? PS We're moving out next month. Thank goodness.

And, why is it you are living with your family instead of having your own home especially since you seem to be able to cover other family member's financial responsibilities?

[Anonymous]

Why would that be relevant?

[Anonymous]

What is SIL doing with their money, if it is not going towards necessities like shelter and utilities. Does she and her family get bailed out a lot by MIL or your family. Sounds neverending. You've paid considerably more than your fellow housemates...

[Anonymous]

Send them to social services as most counties have a way to do a grant with an cut-off as it is considered an emergency.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If the avg monthly cost of gas exceeds the avg monthly costs of what you and mil cover then you are taking advantage of the other family. Esp if they don't get to control heat use, etc.

Why not take the bills and divide by three (three families it seems) or pro rate on a per person basis (maybe one family has more kids)... That would seem more equitable.

OP here... I agree, but this was MIL's idea, and this is her house, so we go along with what she wants to do.

The gas bill is extremely manageable about 5 months out of the year (under $100/month)..... but the cold months, it runs about $600 a month (*gasp*), which is why I think my MIL let them take on the utilities, since they are not helping with the mortgage payment. We tried to talk to MIL about a 3-way split, but she said it would be easier to do it her way. MIL and my family each pay $750/month toward the mortgage.

SIL explained that they were paying a little each month to keep the gas on, because they could not keep up with the large winter month bills, but eventually just could not keep up. Last month, they missed the payment entirely (she thought her DH paid it, he thought she did), and the missed payment is what apparently led to the disconnection. They were trying to get the bill caught up during the slow summer months.

I just found out that the entire bill is at $1300. And it has to be paid IN FULL to get the gas back on since it is disconnected.

It will be higher than that. You have to pay the disconnection and reconnection fees that are usually a few hundred dollars. Split everything three ways from now on.

[Anonymous]

You and MIL split the bill. SIL obviously cannot come up with it and you must have the gas turned on. Be glad you will be out of there next month.

[Anonymous]

OP here.

UPDATE: DH/Me and MIL split the bill today and paid it in full. Gas will be back on sometime tomorrow. Yay!

Can't say this enough: i'm so glad we're outta here next month. All in all, it is just not a good situation.

Thanks for the support and wonderful advice.