If you’ve been with your partner for a while, it’s only natural to start thinking about what the next step looks like. For many, that next step is moving in together.
While it’s an exciting prospect marking a whole new chapter, it’s important to make sure you’re both ready to commit. You’ll not only be confronted with decisions about décor, but you’ll also need to have serious conversations about finances and household maintenance. Setting expectations from the start is key. Beyond this, it’s important to know your rights as a cohabiting couple, as these differ from those of married couples.
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The same goes for platonic friends considering a shared living arrangement. Sometimes you can be close with someone and still not mesh well as housemates. That’s worth figuring out before you sign a lease together.
Cleaning Habits
Cleanliness is a major part of running a household together. It means sharing responsibility for maintaining the space and cleaning up after yourselves. That covers everything from doing laundry to unloading the dishwasher.
According to a study by fitted furniture specialists Hammonds Furniture, some of the most annoying habits experienced by those living with their partner include leaving cups and dishes unwashed (39%) and avoiding household tasks altogether (35%). Untidy surroundings affect people’s moods, so sharing this responsibility isn’t just polite, it’s necessary.
Beyond day-to-day tidiness, staying on top of recycling and being responsible with waste in general is something that may be important to you. Express these priorities early so you’re both on the same page. That way, you can build a system that actually works for both of you.
Technology Usage
Everyone needs downtime. When you’re sharing a home, though, the way you unwind can affect the people around you.
The same survey found that too much screen time (35%) ranks among the most irritating habits for partners and housemates alike. Obsessively watching shows on TV that the other person has no interest in can feel inconsiderate over time. It’s fine to enjoy what you enjoy, but be conscious of doing it excessively or at the expense of someone else’s preferences.
Hygiene
Tidiness in a shared space is one thing. Personal hygiene is another matter entirely. The study found that poor personal hygiene is the top reason people would end a relationship while living with a partner. Nose picking, specifically, came in as the fourth most irritating pet peeve.
Poor hygiene shows up in all kinds of settings: at the dinner table, in the bathroom, and when sharing a bed. It’s worth paying attention to these things before you commit to sharing a home. Going on a trip together is one of the best ways to get a realistic read on someone’s habits before you make that call.
