The decision to live with your partner is not one to be taken lightly. As much as it’s likely to be one of the most exciting times of your life, it does come with its own hurdles that, if not addressed, could cause struggles further down the line.
As any successful cohabiting couple will tell you, making “the big move” is a great thing, so long as you make sure you think everything through to create a balanced and happy living environment.
So what are the tips and tricks to live with your partner happily ever after? As it happens, there’s more to it than just deciding who’s doing the washing up.
Plan your finances in detail
This may sound like an obvious one, but it’s also one that is often thrown by the wayside, especially in the midst of all the excitement of moving in. Sit down with your other half and put everything down on paper that needs to be paid for. Perhaps one person will take care of the council tax, and the other will pay the broadband bill, for example.
Whatever you come up with, making sure that you’re both happy with the outcome gives you a plan to stick to month after month. In the long term, this will really help things run smoothly. After all, a high number of couples who run into trouble when living together find that they argue over…you guessed it – money! This can be solved with a little bit of forward planning, and then you can focus on the more important things, such as enjoying your time together.
Opt for a cohabitation agreement
To put it bluntly, unmarried couples that live together are left with no rights at all in the event of a breakup, and without a cohabitation agreement, one person could end up with nothing. As much as you’re planning on living happily ever after, it’s still a good idea to insure yourself against these things, so you can rest in knowing you have covered all grounds.
The Guardian reported how around 1 in 4 couples living together think they have the same legal protection as those who are legally married – which simply isn’t the case. As much as a cohabitation agreement sounds unromantic compared to a luxurious white wedding, it’s a very valuable asset, if only for peace of mind.
A cohabitation document is legally binding and will protect both parties. Cohabitation solicitors Abacus Solicitors deal directly with cohabitation disputes and will be able to answer any questions you may have.
Embrace the quirks!
You might not have noticed some of your partner’s quirks before moving in with them. Instead of letting them get to you and eventually affect your relationship, learn to talk about them openly, and even find humour in them where possible. After all, leaving the lid off the toothpaste or putting cutlery in the wrong drawer are things than can be easily solved with communication. Remember you will also have quirks too that they probably haven’t noticed about you, so cooperation is key on this one. If you can learn to accept one another’s differences, especially those ones you didn’t notice until after you chose to live under the same roof, then you are well equipped to live together successfully.
Remember to have alone time
Even the happiest couples need a little bit of time alone from time to time. Making sure you have the space to do this, and respecting each other’s need for space on occasion, is one of the most important parts of a happy relationship. Living together doesn’t have to mean you are in each other’s pockets all the time, so enjoy alone time and then look forward to seeing each other when planned!
