Move-in costs
| Cost | Example (USD) | Example (GBP) |
|---|---|---|
| Security deposit | $2,000 | £1,500 |
| First month’s rent | $2,000 | £1,500 |
| Movers | $800 | £500 |
| Furniture and basics | $2,500 | £1,500 |
| Total | $7,300 | £5,000 |
The checklist
- Housing budget: under 30% of combined income.
- List of fixed bills: rent, utilities, internet, insurance, subscriptions.
- Split rule: 50/50 or by income, plus exceptions.
- What stays personal: clothes, hobbies, existing debt.
- Who pays each bill and when.
- How often you settle: monthly or twice a month.
- Inventory: what each of you brings and what you buy together.
- What happens if one of you loses their job.
Who owns what
Keep a simple list of what each of you brings and what you buy together, with how much each paid. If you ever split up, that list prevents the hardest conversation.
The first month
Early costs are big and irregular. Record everything, even if one partner paid most of it, and settle at the end of the month. From month two, it becomes routine.
Start organized
Couplesplit helps from day one: add your fixed payments with their due dates, choose your rule, and purchases log themselves from Apple Pay or bank notifications. Shared costs go to Ours, personal ones to Mine, and the balance shows who owes whom.
Questions
How much money do we need to move in together?
Budget at least a deposit, first month’s rent, movers and basic household items. In the US example that is about $7,300 between you, before big furniture.
Do we need a joint account?
No. You can keep your own accounts and track shared costs in one shared record.
When should we talk about money?
Before you sign the lease. It is easier to agree on rules first than to fix them after a fight.