Moving into a share house is easier when you know what to check before the day arrives. A spare room can be simple to move into, but small details such as bond, keys, bills, furniture, internet, and house rules can become stressful if they are left until the last minute.
This checklist covers the practical things to confirm before and after moving into a share house in Australia. You may not need every item, but working through the list helps you start with clear expectations.
Before You Say Yes
Confirm the full cost before agreeing to the room. Ask about weekly rent, bond, rent in advance, bills, internet, parking, and shared household expenses. If bills are included, check whether that includes electricity, gas, water usage, and internet. If bills are separate, ask how they are divided and how often they are paid.
Check the lease or agreement. Are you joining an existing lease, subletting from a head tenant, boarding with an owner-occupier, or entering a separate rooming arrangement? The details matter because they affect notice periods, bond handling, and responsibilities.
Inspect the Room Properly
Look beyond whether the room feels nice at first glance. Check the size, storage, natural light, ventilation, heating, cooling, power points, phone reception, noise, curtains or blinds, and whether the door closes properly. If the room is furnished, confirm exactly what stays.
Inspect shared areas too. Look at the kitchen, bathroom, laundry, fridge space, pantry space, living area, outdoor areas, bins, and bike or car parking. Shared areas shape your daily routine, so they matter as much as the bedroom.
Meet the Housemates
If possible, meet everyone who lives in the home before committing. Ask about work and study routines, cleaning expectations, guests, quiet hours, pets, smoking, and how decisions are made. You do not need to interview people formally, but you should feel comfortable asking practical questions.
Pay attention to how clearly people communicate. A household that can explain rent, bills, cleaning, and rules before you move in is more likely to manage issues well later.
Sort the Paperwork
Make sure rent, bond, and move-in dates are confirmed in writing. Keep receipts for payments. If a bond is required, check how it will be lodged or recorded. Rules vary depending on the arrangement, so do not rely on verbal promises alone.
Ask for contact details for the landlord, agent, head tenant, or owner-occupier, depending on who manages the property. You should know who to contact for repairs, urgent maintenance, rent questions, and notice if you decide to leave.
Plan What to Bring
For the bedroom, you may need bedding, towels, clothes hangers, a desk lamp, power board, laundry basket, fan or heater if allowed, and basic storage. If the room is unfurnished, add a bed, mattress, desk, chair, wardrobe, and bedside table.
For shared living, ask before bringing large appliances or duplicate items. The house may already have enough cookware, plates, glasses, and cleaning equipment. It is still useful to bring personal toiletries, laundry detergent, a few containers, and anything you prefer not to share.
Confirm Keys and Access
Before moving day, confirm what keys or access devices you will receive. This may include the front door, bedroom door, garage, mailbox, building fob, parking remote, or gate code. Ask what happens if a key is lost and whether copies are allowed.
If the property has security systems, shared entrances, or apartment building rules, ask for instructions before you arrive with boxes. Moving is much easier when access is already organised.
Agree on Cleaning and Shared Supplies
Cleaning is one of the most common share-house issues. Ask whether there is a roster, a paid cleaner, or a flexible system. Clarify expectations for dishes, bins, bathroom cleaning, vacuuming, mopping, and shared appliances.
Also ask how shared supplies are handled. Some houses split toilet paper, dishwashing liquid, rubbish bags, and cleaning products. Others expect everyone to buy their own. Either approach can work if everyone understands it.
Update Your Details
Once the move is confirmed, update your address where needed. This may include your bank, employer, university, mobile provider, licence, insurance, online shopping accounts, and important services. If you receive physical mail, ask how the household manages letters and parcels.
It is also worth saving housemate contact details, the property address, nearest public transport, and emergency contacts in your phone. On the first night, make sure you know where the switchboard, bins, and basic cleaning supplies are.
Start With a Good Conversation
After moving in, have a simple check-in with the household. Confirm rent payment details, cleaning expectations, fridge and pantry space, guest rules, noise expectations, and how the household prefers to communicate. Some houses use a group chat, while others keep things casual.
A share house works best when people are considerate and clear from the beginning. With the practical details handled early, you can settle into the room, learn the household rhythm, and avoid many of the common problems that make shared living harder than it needs to be.