Moving in together? The 5 conversations that make everything simpler

You've found the place. The boxes are almost packed. The only thing left is the slightly less glamorous bit – the five-minute conversations that can shape how the next few years together actually feel.

At Purplebricks, we know moving home is about much more than finding the right property. It's about everything that comes next too. That's why we partner with amicable, specialists in helping couples navigate important life decisions and feel confident about their next chapter together.

Our friends at amicable talk to couples every day who are moving in together, and one thing comes up again and again: the practical conversations they had early on often made everything else simpler. The ones they skipped usually surfaced a few months later in slightly awkward ways.

So they've put together this shortlist to help. Five conversations worth having before you unpack. None are tricky. All of them can help avoid friction further down the line.

Want a guided conversation?

amicable's Living Together Planning Session is a 60-minute joint session with a Specialist, designed to help couples talk through exactly this. £210 per couple, including VAT.

Book a free 15-minute consultation

1. Money and bills

How you split rent or mortgage, bills and day-to-day costs sets the tone for the whole household.

Worth agreeing:

• How you'll split rent or mortgage – equal halves, proportional to income or something else
• How bills and shared costs work – groceries, utilities, council tax, subscriptions
• Whether you want a joint account for shared expenses
• How much privacy you'd each like around personal spending
• Whether you want to save together for holidays, furniture or bigger goals

There's no single right approach. Just the one that works for both of you.

2. What each of you is bringing

If you're combining two households, there's almost always more stuff than space allows.

Chat about:

• What each of you is bringing, from furniture and kitchen kit to appliances and décor
• What to keep, what to sell, what to store
• How the space gets divided – wardrobes, desks, kitchen cupboards

3. Deposits and contributions (if you're buying)

If you're buying rather than renting, the deposit conversation matters. When one of you is putting in more, it's worth agreeing how that's recognised from day one.

Some couples split everything equally. Some base contributions on income. Many record unequal deposits in writing so there's no ambiguity further down the line. It's not about being formal. It's about both of you knowing where you stand.

4. Routines, space and lifestyle

Living with a partner is very different from visiting them at weekends. The small stuff – when you eat, how you unwind, whether you need alone time – can make a surprising difference to how smoothly the first few months feel.

Worth being honest about:

• Weekday and weekend routines
• How you each relax and recharge
• Time spent alone, together and with friends
• Tidiness expectations and household jobs
• Guests, overnight visitors and how often is comfortable
• Pets, if they're part of the mix
• Work-from-home setups and shared workspace

You don't need to agree on everything. You just need to know where you both sit.

5. What happens if things change

Life changes. New jobs, moves, kids, the unexpected. You don't need to plan every scenario, but a light chat about the big ones makes everything smoother when they come.

A few questions worth touching on:

• Long-term plans for this home – stepping stone or settled?
• What you'd do if one of you needed to relocate for work
• How income changes would affect how you share costs
• Any big expectations to flag – marriage, kids, a future move

How amicable can help

At amicable, we work with couples. No taking sides, no legal jargon, no awkward paperwork. Just warm, expert support to help you agree how things will work and feel confident about the life you're building together.

Living Together Planning Session – £210 per couple. A 60-minute joint session with a Specialist. Talk through the big stuff, leave with a clear plan. For couples who want a guided conversation without necessarily going on to a written agreement.

Cohabitation Agreement Service – £800 per couple. A written agreement setting out how you'll manage money, the home and day-to-day life together. Drafted by legal experts, designed to give both of you clarity.

Both have fixed, transparent pricing including VAT.

Start your life together on the same page

The couples who have these conversations early nearly always say the same thing: moving in felt simpler and the first few months felt better.

Book a free 15-minute consultation with amicable

No commitment, no pressure. Just a warm chat about your situation.