Tips for when you first move in together

In your search for a home, you have found the ideal house and you want to make an offer with the sales agent. You are about to make your first home to purchase! Fun, but also exciting, because what exactly do you have to look out for? Here are some (practical) tips.

Tip 1. Map out your financial options

Before you go house hunting or make an offer, it is important to have a good understanding of your financial options. That way you know how much money you can spend and in what price range you can best search. After all, once you make an offer and sign a purchase agreement, you enter into financial commitments.

Make a clear overview in advance of your income, savings and fixed expenses, such as insurance, vacations and household costs. This will give you a realistic picture of what you can borrow and what you can responsibly spend on living expenses.

Tip 2: Consider a buying agent

A purchase broker can help you with the purchase of a home and avoid surprises. A buying broker knows what to look for and looks after your interests, while the selling broker looks after the seller's interests.

Tip 3. Have a cohabitation contract drawn up

When you live together without marriage or registered partnership, the law does not automatically regulate anything for you. In this case, we often recommend signing a cohabitation contract. In this cohabitation contract you make arrangements about the costs of your cohabitation (the groceries), the household effects, the living expenses, the division of your joint assets and the partner's pension, among other things. A cohabitation contract can be terminated at any time, for example when the relationship breaks up. Determine which expenses and savings you consider joint or personal.

Tip 4. Record how you will handle living expenses

Are you going to live together in a house that is registered in the name of one of you? Then there are several ways to arrange this. For example, you can choose to make the house (or part of it) jointly owned, with the other partner buying in. This is recorded through the notary, for example with a deed of transfer or agreements in the cohabitation contract.

Do you choose not to own the home jointly? Then it is especially important to properly document how you divide living expenses, such as the mortgage or rent and other costs. These arrangements can also be included in a cohabitation contract, so that both parties are clear on where they stand.

Tip 5. Also think about unexpected situations

It is wise to make arrangements in advance in case the relationship ends or one of you dies. When a relationship breaks down, joint possessions and debts must be divided. In the event of death, for example, you can arrange for the surviving partner to become the owner of the house. Keep in mind, however, that the mortgage will continue to be paid.

In addition, depending on your situation, it may be wise to draw up a will. With only a cohabitation contract you are not yet heirs of each other. Without a will, the legal heirs can claim the assets of the deceased partner. With a will you can arrange this properly and prevent the surviving partner from getting into trouble.

Tip 6. Keep appointments up-to-date

Does your situation change, such as the arrival of children, a new house or a change in income? Then it is wise to review your cohabitation contract and adjust it where necessary. Sometimes the situation changes so much that another legal form suits you better, such as a registered partnership or marriage.

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Buying a house and moving in together is a special and beautiful step in your lives. That is why it is important to think about the financial, legal and practical issues beforehand. By making proper arrangements, you create clarity for each other and prevent potential problems in the future.

Want to read more about the deed of conveyance, mortgage deed or cohabitation agreement?