5 Questions to Ask Before Deciding to Move in with Someone

• December 7, 2020
• Bill Chen

Last updated on October 30, 2023

Moving in together, either when you’re in a relationship, or to house share with mates, is a make-or-break situation. It’s a big decision. The move itself is often considered the stressful part, but, if use the best removalists North Sydney or the Inner West has to offer, and you don’t ask these 5 questions, it may prove to be the easy part. 

1. “Have you been responsible for household chores before?”

OK, maybe it’s not as exciting as “do you have a pet snake”, but it’s pretty much the most important question. The number one cause for disgruntlement between housemates and cohabitating couples is over cleanliness, cooking, and chores. Have you been responsible for household chores before? If not, would you be willing to learn and help out around the house? The answer to this question will reveal a huge amount about your potential housemate – such as potential red flags. Additionally, if you find that you both have a lot of belongings, you may want to consider hiring home removals to help streamline the moving process.

2.“Have you ever lived with anyone before/ reason for leaving?”

Having worked closely with real estate I can tell you that this is a big question for any rental reference. Having lived with people before, especially in a shared house, is a huge indicator of how ready your potential housemate or another half will cope with the coming arrangements. Moreover, if that person has left completely amicably, or is still living in the same original shared house, this is a good sign of stability and reliability. Just like tenure when a job interviewer asks. If the reason for leaving is filled with drama, it could be a potential red flag. 

3. “How will we organise payments?” 

This is a bit of an elephant in the room but an incredibly important part of living together nonetheless. Renting, or owning property can be a very expensive exercise. It helps if you go splits on one of the great cheap removals Sydney has to offer, but it goes beyond that. What portion of the rent will each side pay? What ratio of the utilities will go to where? These are important questions that really should be answered ahead of time. 

4. “How ‘social’ are you?” ie. parties/ friends coming over

Everybody treats their home differently. Some like to treat it like a haven away from the rest of the world where they can just be at peace, comfort, and privacy guarded away. However, some like to flaunt it and treat it as a great meeting pad for their social circles. Both styles are completely acceptable, so long as the other side is in line with it and knows ahead of time. This is a great conversation to have ASAP. 

5. “What kind of diet are you on?” For example, vegan, kosher

More and more of us are eating diets that may have an effect on others in the home. For example, If one housemate eats meat and the other doesn’t, there could be a need to be clear on what pans to use for cooking, what food belongs on what shelf, etc. Many people may also be interested in eco-friendly moving tips therefore as well. Sometimes these issues will either be apparent or easily worked around if discussed properly. However, they can be a potential banana skin to any living arrangement. 

In addition to having conversations about your new home, there are also some tips to consider when packing before the move. Taking the time to plan and organize your packing can help ensure a smooth transition to your new home. By following these tips, you can minimize stress and make the moving process more manageable. And remember, what you don’t ask before the move will surprise you after the move!