So, you’re about to move in with your man. Congratulations. But before you call the removalist, put down a month’s rent and head to IKEA, it’s time to deal with a little housekeeping – literally.

Yep, we’re talking house rules, finances and whose sofa is making the move to your new address. Here are five little questions you need to ask this minute, to avoid killing each other later.

Who pays for what?

Assuming your finances will work themselves out? Yup, and Britney’s never going to walk down the aisle again. As awkward as this might be, discussing dollars is a wake-up call that living together is not just going to be “romance and afternoon delight”. You’ve got one of two ways to go here.

Either tally up your monthly bills and divide by two, or split all expenses between you – as in, you take care of gas and  phone, while he’s responsible for electricity, groceries and low-fat chocolate body paint. After six months, reassess the situation and renegotiate if necessary.

If one of you earns way more than the other, it’s possible to have this reflected in your outgoings strategy. But be warned, people of both genders (mainly men) are prone to confusing money with power, and this can infect the relationship like an incurable virus.

Who does what?

For men, home is where the laundry falls and you crash – although not necessarily in that order. We couldn’t care less if we step in a pizza box on the way to the toilet at night; we launder when we’ve run out of undies to turn inside-out (in order to get another day’s wear out of the bastards) and vacuuming only takes place when the house dust mites leave a note saying their asthma is acting up.

For many women, however, home functions as a sanctuary, a retreat and, in some cases, an expression of taste and style. Before moving in together, it must be established that the man will need to heighten his hygiene and decor standards – and that the woman may need to teach him how. Set aside a weekly time and divide the tasks between you.

He washes the clothes, vacuums the floor and dusts while you do the dishes, clean the bathroom and rid the fridge of items purchased when the Backstreet Boys were still making hit records.