Mi casa SU CASA

Moving in with a partner, friend or family member? Sure, you could wing it — or you could make sure to avoid unnecessary drama with our expert's seven golden rules for cohabitation.

- BY ROBYN MACLARTY

Cohabitation... Moving in with your amor is the stuff magical memories are made of: like discovering their preference for storing underwear in the freezer; or their strange aversion to using the laundry bin (for laundry); or their quasi-religious attachment to 23 different kinds of hot sauce.

Whether you’re shacking up with your soulmate, your bestie or (gulp) your mother-in-law, sharing a living space is about more than merging Netflix algorithms (that deserves an article all of its own). It requires decisive enthusiasm, a truckload of tolerance and, most importantly, a plan.

“Moving in with someone - whether it’s a partner, friend or family member - is a big step!” says relationship specialist and coach Jane Mills. “It can be exciting, and it is certain to be an adjustment. Setting up a few intentional ground rules from the get-go can make the transition so much smoother than just winging it.”

So, before you start drawing battle lines over dishwasher-loading etiquette, or passive-aggressively labelling half the contents of the fridge, consider Jane’s golden rules for cohabitation. Just a few strategic conversations and agreements now could save you from the kind of situation that makes The War of the Roses look like a sitcom.