Thanks for the input US Citizen. Believe it or not, before reading your post my "to do" list for tomorrow had contact gas, electric, water/garbage service providers. I will ask what the base rate per month is if the service is not used. Example would be turn off the gas and the meter reading would be the same today as it would be a month from now. I know we would still get a base bill.
Your sugestion is fair, reasonable and a mature way to handle the situation.
As far as our roomate defector, he snuck out without warning or discussion and left us other two holding the bag. I will propose this though.
I will post again with updates.

