The complete pre-move checklist for your shared house

Moving into a shared house is exciting, but the weeks beforehand are where most of the real work happens. Get this bit right and move-in day feels like a breeze instead of a scramble.

Sort the paperwork early. Make sure you have a signed tenancy agreement and a copy of the inventory. Read both properly; they are the documents you will rely on if anything goes wrong later. If your landlord does not provide an inventory, create one yourself with dated photos of every room.

Set up a roommate agreement. Before anyone moves a box, sit down (even over a group call) and agree on the basics: how rent and bills will be split, who handles the wifi account, guest rules, quiet hours, and cleaning expectations. Writing it down removes awkwardness later. Our free Roommate Agreement Generator can help you cover everything in minutes.

Open a shared bills account or app. Decide how you will handle money before anyone owes anyone anything. Whether you use a joint account, a bills-splitting app like Casamates, or a simple spreadsheet, getting the system in place now means no one has to chase payments later.

Communicate about furniture and essentials. Create a shared list in Casamates of what everyone is bringing. You do not need four toasters and zero hoovers. Divide up the big purchases: someone grabs the bin bags and cleaning supplies, someone else handles the shower curtain and toilet roll bulk buy. The shared shopping list updates live so everyone stays in sync.

Redirect your post and update your address. Set up mail redirection from your old address. Update your bank, GP, dentist, subscriptions, and anything else that sends you letters. Do this a week before you move so nothing slips through the cracks.

Meet your flatmates (if you haven't already). If you are moving in with people you found online, arrange a quick coffee or video call. It breaks the ice and gives everyone a chance to ask practical questions before you are all standing in the hallway with boxes.