ManaWGOpen the appHolidays and time away in a flat share
When someone is gone for weeks, the others wonder who takes over the tasks and who bears which costs. Whether it is a holiday, an internship or a semester abroad, clear rules that are settled beforehand mean no rows.
By Abubakar Abditube (ManaWG) · Published · Updated
Cleaning rota while someone is away
Someone who is not there cannot clean. When you are making a cleaning rota, a rule for this belongs in it. The usual approach is that people who are away are skipped and do not have to catch up on everything afterwards. Some flats agree that before a long trip the person does their own task first, so nobody takes over an uncleaned bathroom. In the ManaWG cleaning rota you enter time away with a date range. When a task is marked done, that person is passed over at the next assignment. Tasks already assigned stay with them, the app marks them as away, and someone else can take them over.
Rent and fixed costs
The rent keeps running even if the room stands empty. With fixed costs such as internet, everyone normally keeps paying, because the contract costs the same regardless of use. With usage-based costs such as electricity, heating or shared food, you can agree that people who are away pay less. That is mainly worth it for longer periods. For two weeks of holiday, a special rule is usually more effort than saving.
Longer absence: internship and semester abroad
With several months, the question of subletting a room arises. Whether that is allowed depends on the tenancy agreement, and usually the landlord has to agree. Settle in the flat whether everyone is happy with the person, because they will live with you in that time. The subtenant can join the flat in ManaWG and takes over tasks and costs for the period.
Example: a semester abroad without subletting
A flat of four pays €120 for electricity a month, and one person is abroad for five months and does not sublet. The flat agrees that in that time the absent person bears only a quarter of their electricity share: €7.50 instead of €30. The remaining €22.50 is split between the other three, €7.50 more each. They keep paying rent and internet in full, because those costs arise regardless of use.
Agreements before the trip
Say in good time how long you will be away and put the dates in the shared calendar. Settle who looks after plants, post and pets. Empty perishable food from the fridge or offer it to the others. And settle open amounts before you leave, so nobody waits weeks for their money.
Frequently asked questions
Do I still have cleaning duties while I am on holiday?
That is up to your flat. It is usual to skip people who are away. In ManaWG this is covered by the time away feature.
Do I still pay utilities while I am on holiday?
Fixed costs such as rent and internet carry on. For usage-based costs you can agree something different.
Can I sublet my room during a semester abroad?
That depends on the tenancy agreement. As a rule you need the landlord’s consent, and your flatmates should be happy with it.
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