Moving In Together? Have You Discussed These 5 Factors?
Being in a new relationship is fun. You’re getting to know each other, learning about them, their personality, life, likes and dislikes, and generally having fun.
When things start to turn serious, and you’re talking about making things more permanent, maybe moving in together, things can get tricky and pose some real issues for you both.
Living together day in and day out, especially, can be a challenging period to move past and establish ground rules. For example, moving into someone else’s home and not moving into a brand-new property together can present even more problems.
If this is you and you’re considering allowing your significant other to move in with you into your home, then it’s essential you lay some ground rules and know exactly what to do and how to test the waters so you’re both on the same page.
These points need to be openly discussed prior to moving in together. This ensures that everything is clear and understood from the beginning, giving you the confidence that you’re on the same page.
Household Bills
One of the most crucial aspects of cohabitation is the discussion about income and bills. It’s important to have an upfront conversation about how you’ll split the bills, contribute to payments, and ensure everything is paid on time. This can prevent financial disputes and ensure a smooth cohabitation experience.
The amount each person pays will depend on their circumstances and income and should be equal and fair for both parties. While it seems like something that is understood – you will both have a share in paying bills, it’s important to take the time to run through the numbers before you make anything official so that you both know what to expect and what will happen once you seal the deal.
Mortgage or Rent
Whether you own your home or rent, you need to think about whether or not you are adding their name to any rental agreements or adding them to your mortgage.
This means that they will hold the same level of responsibility for the property and have a claim in your home if things don’t go as planned and you decide to separate down the line.
A quitclaim deed can allow you to add another person’s name or property or remove one; once a name is added, the person has legal ownership of the property. The same is true in reverse: if a name is removed using a quitclaim deed, the person relinquishes ownership of the property (but it doesn’t exempt them from the legally required payments for a mortgage).
Think carefully about making these changes, as they can have huge implications if things do not go as you envision.
Lifestyle Factors
Discussing your lifestyles and how you envision them working together is a crucial step before committing to living together. This open communication about your habits, concerns, and expectations ensures that both of you feel understood and respected in your new shared space.
Will you be having house guests over frequently each other needs to be aware of, habits you have in place, or concerns about hygiene and chores. What do you expect of each other regarding socializing, spending time together, having friends over, etc.?
Iron out all the small details to ensure smooth sailing once you’ve entered, so both people know what the other expects and what you have agreed to.
Trail It Out
Before making a permanent commitment, consider trialing a living period together. This approach can provide a sense of security and preparedness, allowing you to assess compatibility and adjust expectations before fully committing to cohabitation.
Privacy
Transitioning from living alone to living with a partner can be a significant adjustment. It’s important to have open discussions about privacy, including what you do and don’t expect your partner to share with others. These conversations can help manage the adjustment and ensure a respectful living environment.
Communication is vital for any type of partnership, especially a romantic one that is evolving and experiencing changes. Living together can change the whole dynamic, so learn about how this makes you feel and the level of privacy you need personally and as a couple, and you will more likely start off on the right foot.
These five points are essential factors in your decision to move in with your partner. This needs to be a healthy and beneficial relationship for both parties, and laying down some ground rules, discussing these openly, and being honest about who you are and what you expect can help iron out any differences before they arise and ensure you both are ready for the next step in your relationship.
