When to Move in Together:
Advice for Couples in 2026

Last updated: January 2026

Moving in with each other is an exciting step in your relationship, but that doesn’t mean it’s always smooth sailing. Even if you already live out of each other’s pockets and want to spend all your free time together, living together can still be a bit of a challenge if you aren’t prepared…

We’ve put together some of the most popular pieces of advice for couples considering taking the next step in their relationship – especially whilst at uni. Follow these top tips on when to move in together so you don’t end up making a decision you’ll regret later.

 

When to move in together and what to plan

1. Don’t rush the decision

Whatever you do, it’s important not to rush moving in together. Moving in together for financial reasons or convenience might be tempting. However, it’s crucial you take the time to consider if this is the right step for your relationship.

Here are a couple of reasons that shouldn’t be your sole reason for moving in together:

  • You’re struggling to afford rent and want to save money
  • You live far apart, and you’re tired of travelling back and forth
  • One (or both) of you isn’t financially stable
  • You’re doing it to fix problems in your relationship (spoiler: this usually makes it harder!)

When do couples move in together?

The short answer to this question is that it depends on the couple and their living situation. Some couples might move in together after a few months, while others might wait years until they feel ready.

A recent survey of 2,000 British couples found that the average time people waited before moving in together was 14 months after they first met. However, 61% of the surveyed couples said they wished they’d waited longer to decide to move in together. If you’re not sure if you’re ready to live together, there’s no harm in waiting a bit.

young couple setting up bills

2. Discuss the boring stuff

Having a chat about your budget and chores isn’t the most romantic thing – but it’s got to be done.

The last thing you want is to end up arguing about the weekly grocery shop or whose turn it is to wash the dishes. It’s a good idea to have a chat and work out how you’ll divide the household chores and work out a cleaning rota before you move in. Ensure you’re both on the same page about who will do what:

  • Will you each be responsible for doing your own laundry, or will you take turns?
  • Who will be in charge of cooking and washing up?
  • What about taking the bin out?

Make sure you discuss how you’ll divide rent, bills and other expenses. This is especially crucial if you make different amounts of money – you’ll need to decide on a fair way of splitting things that both of you are comfortable with. For more help with this, check out our guide to splitting household bills as a couple.

A simple way to stay on top of your utilities is to use a bill-splitting service that automatically sets up and manages your bills to keep things simple.

The pair of you will also need to decide on a monthly budget for rent, bills, groceries, and any shared expenses or subscriptions. Agreeing on a budget ahead of time will reduce the chance of arguments later down the line.

Woman cleaning the kitchen

3. Figure out where you’ll live

When it comes to living together, where you’ll live will be one of the biggest decisions you’ll make. Ideally, move into a new place together. That way, it’s a fresh start for both of you, and no one feels like a guest in someone else’s space. Plus, you get to decorate and furnish the place together.

Sometimes, this isn’t always possible, and your partner might move into your pad. If your partner moves in with you, you’ll need to ensure that you both feel entitled to the shared space. You might need to clear out some of your old gear to make actual room for your partner’s stuff so they feel at home, not just like they’re crashing on your sofa.

4. Plan for the worst

We know it’s a mood-killer, but you need to talk about what happens if things go south. Being mature enough to have the what if we break up chat is actually a huge sign that you’re ready to move in.

Make sure you discuss what will happen to the furniture and who will stay in the property if you break up. This is especially important if you’re buying a property together or moving into a property one of you owns.

How Split The Bills can help couples moving in together

Moving in with your partner is an exciting step, especially if you’ve followed the above tips to ensure you’re ready. Working out how to split your utility bills is an extra hassle that can easily be avoided by using our stress-free bill-splitting service…

Split The Bills helps to simplify your household bills. We’ll set up utility accounts on your behalf and split the bills equally between you, your partner and anyone else you’re living with! There’s no need to worry about setting up a joint account and possibly affecting each other’s credit scores.

You can customise your bills package to include gas, electricity, water, broadband, and even a TV Licence if you plan on watching live TV.

Get a monthly price for your household bills today and make moving in with your partner as simple as possible!