If you rented a room to someone, would you...?

Question

give a reduction or not make the the renter pay utilities for one month if they were going out of town for 30 consecutive days? I travel for work on an average of 3-5 days every month. I don't think I should have to give a reduction, but how would you feel as the renter to have to pay utilities for time you are not there? Then again I would pay for days I am not there even though it's only a few days here and there. Any thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks!

Answer 1

NO reduction would be given.

Answer 2

No, If you made a contract even if its a verbal contract, and it states that the renter has to pay a portion of the bill- regardless of the fact that they are there or not. Go back to the beggining and what was agreed upon.

Answer 3

If you are out of town 3-5 days a month and the renter is leaving for a whole month, within about 6-9 months, the time you've both been away will be equal. After that, you will have been away more.  

If I were the renter, I probably wouldn't have a problem with paying utilities for that month because I would realize my landlord was also away a lot of the time and still had to pay their share. If you were home all the time, it might be different.