The Importance Of Getting It In Writing

In The Cloud, Or On Paper - Bill Sharing Agreements Can Be Either - Or Both!

Someone I know quite well has spent a lot of time recently working on a project to implement an electronic document signing system in a large company.

Historically, and still to this day, they relied on producing printed documents, sometimes hundreds of pages long, which eventually have to be signed by those concerned. In some cases, many signatures are required and it is not unusual for a document to have to be re-printed and re-submitted for signature again and again.

What, you are entitled to ask, has all this to do with sharing a house, sharing a flat and sharing bills with housemates.

Whatever You Agree - Get It In Writing - That's What

Yes, the large company mentioned above would think you to be mad if you even thought about doing business without something being in writing. How would you ever hope to enforce or administer an agreement, licence, order, etc if there is no written version of it to refer to. Impossible.

Well, Actually - No!

Well, partly no and partly yes. The bottom line is that it is actually quite possible, even easy, to avoid having to produce a written copy of a document now that collaborative word processing and spreadsheet systems are available. Even Google have one for free in their online Google Drive facility.

The document can be shared and all those who are involved with it can make comments, amendments and so on depending on the level of access that they have been given.

Only at the point where a signature is required is it necessary to have a written copy - well it used to be but not any longer. electronic signatures have arrived and it is now possible, and legally acceptable, to electronically sign a document without having a printed copy - you still have an agreement but it is simply being stored in a different way.

That's Great For Business - But What About An Agreement Between friends.

Well, when you find it necessary, or desirable, to move into a home that you are sharing with others, friends or strangers, it is going to be necessary to have an agreement with those housemates as to who pays the bills and what happens if someone doesn't pay their share.

It sounds trivial but these shared utility bills and monthly rents can run into thousands of pounds - especially in a busy city like London. You wouldn't let a business deal just exist on the back of an envelope or as a verbal agreement would you? so why do it with your accommodation and shared utility bills?

So, whilst it is perfectly possible for this agreement to be a paperless one, the important thing is for it to exist and be enforceable. That's where glide comes in. Glide Utilities offer a bill sharing service for students, professional or anyone that needs to share accommodation with others.

Peace Of Mind Is Just A Click Away

It can all be set up online and you have an online system to keep a running check on it.

The bills are combined and shared equally between all the participants - if someone disappears then it is Glide's job to chase them for payment - not yours.

It's true, there will eventually be a paper copy because that's still necessary at this time but the  main point is that everyone's interest are covered and you can concentrate on your job, or studies, without worrying about errant flatmates.