The problem with one meter, several people
When a flat has a single electricity or water meter but two or three people using it, someone has to turn that one number into fair shares. Guessing breeds arguments; a simple, agreed rule doesn't.
Pick a splitting rule up front
Agree on one method before the first bill lands:
- Equal shares — total divided by number of people. Simplest, works when usage is similar.
- Per-room — heavier for larger private rooms, lighter for a box room. Fair when rents already differ.
- Head-count over time — if someone was away half the month, count them as half. Best for irregular occupancy.
Write the rule down. The rule matters more than which one you pick — everyone knowing it in advance is what stops disputes.
Track the shared meter in FinMan
You only read the meter once, because there is only one meter. In FinMan:
- Add the address and the service (e.g. electricity), then toggle it as a shared meter — you can do this straight from the Telegram or WhatsApp Utilities menu, no web app needed.
- Add the tariff (metered, with the price per unit; use multi-tariff if you have day/night).
- Each month, submit one reading — or send a photo of the meter and let AI read the value and match it to the right service.
- FinMan computes the difference from last month and calculates the full bill.
The app produces the total from the meter difference. Apply your agreed split rule to that total — the number to divide is always accurate and undisputed.
Let housemates see the numbers
Distrust usually comes from not seeing the readings. Invite housemates so they get read-only access to the meter readings and bills. They can watch the meter go up and check the maths without being able to change anything.
A worked example
Say the reading difference is 300 units at a metered tariff, giving a bill FinMan calculates automatically. Three equal housemates each pay a third. If you use per-room instead, weight the shares by room size and confirm the split adds back up to the full total.
Keep every month's reading in one place and the pattern becomes obvious — a sudden jump is easy to spot and discuss before it turns into a payment row.