A recent article in The Guardian revealed that more people are moving in together earlier than ever. The reasons are less about love than they are about economics. Rising rents, inflation, and the high cost of living are driving couples to cohabit sooner to save money and share expenses.
As the article notes, nearly one in three couples say that they moved in together primarily to reduce living costs, and more than half said they stayed in relationships longer than they wanted to simply because they couldn’t afford to move out. One interviewee put it simply: “The world isn’t made for single people.”
That reality rings true in Canada too. Housing affordability has become one of the biggest factors shaping modern relationships. But when couples move in quickly out of financial necessity, they often skip an important step: making a clear, written agreement about their legal and financial future together.
Why this trend matters
Moving in together early can make sense — financially and emotionally. But it also creates new kinds of vulnerability. When partners move into one person’s home or share a lease, split expenses, or buy furniture together, they’re entering into a financial relationship whether or not they realize it.
In Canada, that can have real legal implications. Depending on your province, living together for as little as one to three years may give rise to common-law rights and obligations, including possible claims to property or support if the relationship ends.
A cohabitation agreement (sometimes called a relationship agreement) helps you both get on the same page before those risks become real. It doesn’t have to be intimidating or expensive – and it can actually strengthen your relationship and set you up for success by creating transparency and trust.
Six conversations to have before you move in together
1. What’s our motivation for moving in?
Is this mostly about saving money, or a step toward long-term commitment? Understanding your motivations helps you plan realistically.
➡️ With Jointly: Start your agreement by documenting your intentions and revisit it as your relationship evolves.
2. How will we share expenses?
Will you split things equally or proportionally to income? How will you handle groceries, rent, and bills?
➡️ With Jointly: Outline your financial arrangements clearly — so expectations are set from day one.
3. Whose name goes on the lease or mortgage?
If one partner moves into the other’s home, it’s important to clarify what that means legally.
➡️ With Jointly: Define what counts as ownership or contribution, so there are no misunderstandings later.
4. What happens if one of us moves out?
Over half of couples surveyed said they stayed together longer because moving out was too expensive.
➡️ With Jointly: Add clear terms for how move-outs, deposits, and shared property will be handled.
5. What about shared purchases or savings?
Even small purchases add up. Who owns the new sofa or shared appliances?
➡️ With Jointly: Include clauses for shared assets and contributions — it makes dividing them later much simpler if needed.
6. What’s our long-term plan?
Is this temporary or part of a bigger commitment?
➡️ With Jointly: You can update your agreement anytime — turning it into a marriage or postnup agreement when the time comes.
Love is emotional. Living together is legal.
Cohabiting sooner might be practical, but it also means your financial and legal lives are intertwined earlier. That’s not a bad thing – but you should be intentional about it. A relationship agreement is a modern, proactive way to protect each other and build trust.
At Jointly, we make that easy. Our online platform helps couples create clear, affordable, lawyer-approved cohabitation, marriage, and prenup agreements – all in plain language, from the comfort of home.
In an economy where every decision feels higher-stakes, taking the time to plan isn’t just smart – it’s empowering.
👉 Start your cohabitation agreement today at getjointly.ca
