Moving in

Whether you are setting up a house with friends or moving into an already established place, it can be pretty expensive to begin with.

The initial costs will include bond (usually four weeks rent), two weeks rent in advance and a share of the electricity, gas, phone and internet connections.

You may also need to pay for the furniture and removalist service.

Once you’ve moved in, you will need to budget for the ongoing weekly expenses, such as groceries and bills.

This section provides an overview of the initial costs and where you could go to get help with your finances, so you have an idea of what you’re getting yourself into before you take the plunge. 

Everyone in the house needs to be clear about what is going on and committed to ensuring that the house functions in a fair and just manner for everyone. 

This need not be a difficult task, but it should be discussed and agreed on from the outset.

Share houses can be organised in many different ways from total independence to the happy family. 

The main issues to work out from the beginning will be the payment of rent, food and kitty arrangements, household chores and bills.