Assist | Connect | Success
Meet multiple potential Housemates, in person, safely.
What even is this?
Our Mission is to assist in creating compatible connections for people seeking the right housemates through a safe and efficient in-person event
How it works!
Would you like to know we can assist you in connecting with a new Housemate?
Our Waitlist
We currently have a waitlist for all our CoHabbers. Follow the link below to sign up and be first in line for our next events!
Here's How it Works
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Register your details on our website, and our Team will pop your name on to our VIP waitlist.
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When the event is ready to launch, all our Pre-Registered CoHabbers (that’s you!) will be notified for first round event registration.
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You will then attend one of our exclusive CoHabs events where you'll have the opportunity to meet multiple potential housemates face-to-face.
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At the end of each conversation, you can confidentially submit your preference (where you want to talk further or not!).
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Our Team will get busy finding out if there's a mutual interest & a match. We'll then provide both CoHabbers with the contact information of each other the following day.
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Then it is up to you to take the next steps towards finding your perfect living situation.
Feel confident knowing that CoHabs prioritises your privacy and safety – we never share personal information without your consent.
Upcoming Events
We will be coming to you soon!
Nice to meet you!
Meet Nikki
Founder & Creative Director
Nikki brings nearly two decades of experience in the property industry to The CoHabs. With a passion for helping people and focus on creating a life changing idea that will be her legacy, she thrives on creating innovative solutions every day. The best advice she has ever received was from her father as a small child:
“Think of a new idea every day, and one day, one will be the best.”
Nikki truly believes that The CoHabs is this elusive idea that might just shake the world.
Beyond her busy work life, Nikki finds solace and joy in nature, indulging in hobbies like hiking, beach outings, kayaking, and creative writing. With a goal to read 50 books by the end of 2024, Nikki is always doing something.
Her heart is taken by her two cats, Memmy & Bean bag who really are the best cats. She also has a sweet budgie called Dougle.
Meet Amelia
Co-Founder & Technical Director
Amelia has worked in the property industry for over ten years, starting in real estate as a junior administrator. With experience in property management, conveyancing and mortgage broking, she has enjoyed helping people in all aspects of finding a home. Seeing how the last couple of years has affected a majority of Australians, Amelia jumped at the chance to work with Nikki to bring this idea to life.
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others .” - Mahatma Ghandi
In her spare time, Amelia likes to get crafty with cross stitching, embroidery, and painting as well as keeping active and exploring Brisbane and beyond.
Blog Posts + Resources
Five questions to ask when interviewing a potential Housemate
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What is Your Daily Routine Like? Understanding a potential housemate's daily routine can provide insight into how compatible your lifestyles might be. Ask about their work schedule, hobbies, and any other commitments that could impact their presence in the house. This will help you gauge whether their lifestyle aligns with yours and if potential conflicts could arise.
How Do You Handle Household Chores and Responsibilities?
Maintaining a clean and organized living space is essential for any shared rental arrangement. Inquire about the potential housemate's approach to household chores, such as cleaning, grocery shopping, and paying bills. Discussing expectations upfront can prevent misunderstandings down the line and ensure everyone pulls their weight in keeping the space tidy.
What Are Your Views on Guests and Socializing at Home?
Every housemate has different preferences when it comes to having guests over and socializing in shared spaces. Clarify expectations regarding overnight guests, gatherings, and noise levels to avoid any conflicts. It's essential to find someone whose social habits align with your own to maintain a comfortable living environment for everyone
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How Do You Handle Conflict or Disagreements?
Conflict is inevitable in any shared living situation, but it's essential to address disagreements constructively and respectfully. Ask potential housemates about their approach to conflict resolution and how they handle disputes with others. Look for individuals who are open-minded, communicative, and willing to compromise to ensure a peaceful cohabitation experience.
Can You Provide References or Previous Housemate Experiences?
Requesting references or inquiring about past housemate experiences can offer valuable insights into a potential housemate's reliability, compatibility, and behavior in a shared living environment. Reach out to previous landlords or housemates to gather feedback on their experiences and ensure you're making an informed decision.
[Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog post is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. It is recommended to consult with relevant authorities or professionals for specific guidance on rental agreements and housemate arrangements.]
Understanding how rental payments are calculated can empower tenants to make informed decisions and effectively manage their rental expenses. Whether you prefer the flexibility of weekly or fortnightly payments or the consistency of monthly payments, choosing the right payment frequency is essential for maintaining financial stability in your tenancy.
Speaking with your Property Manager for options is highly recommended.
Budgeting Preferences
Choosing between weekly, fortnightly, or monthly payments depends on individual budgeting preferences. Some tenants prefer the smaller, more frequent payments of weekly or fortnightly rent, while others prefer the consistency of monthly payments.
This may also vary depending on which State you live in. We recommend checking with the Property Manager for your options.
Alignment with Pay Cycle
Opting for rental payments that align with your pay cycle can help ensure timely payments and better financial management.
You may need to make additional payments (rent in advance) to ensure your rent is due on your pay cycle.
Accounting for Varying Months
It's important to account for the varying number of days in each month when calculating weekly or fortnightly rent to avoid discrepancies in payment amounts.
How to calculate Monthly Rent into your weekly budget:
Example, Monthly Rent is $2,000 pcm
($2,000 x 12)/365 x 7 = $460.27pw
Common mistakes:
$2,000 / 4 = $500 per week
[Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog post is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. It is recommended to consult with relevant authorities or professionals for specific guidance on rental agreements and housemate arrangements.]
Understanding weekly, fortnightly and monthly rental calculations.
Food for thought:
Monthly Rent x 12 = Yearly Rent
Yearly Rent / 356 = Daily Rent
Daily Rent x 7 = Weekly Rent
How Property Managers work out affordability.
What can you afford in the current rental market
In the current market, the average Property Manager or Application Portals use 30% of your income as a guide on affordability. We have made the calculation simple for you in our Affordability chart.
Things to keep in mind when reading this chart:
Calculations are based on 30% of your Net Income (what you take home).
Please check with your Property Manager on how they might calculate their affordability, as this can vary from Agency to Agency.
[Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog post is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. It is recommended to consult with relevant authorities or professionals for specific guidance on rental agreements and housemate arrangements.]
TOTAL COMBINED INCOME NET (what you take home) | WEEKLY RENT AFFORDABILITY *we round down to the closes $5 |
$50,000 | $285 |
$60,000 | $346 |
$70,000 | $405 |
$80,000 | $460 |
$90,000 | $515 |
$100,000 | $575 |
$110,000 | $630 |
$120,000 | $690 |
$130,000 | $750 |
$140,000 | $805 |
$150,000 | $865 |
$160,000 | $920 |
$170,000 | $980 |
$180,000 | $1,038 |
$190,000 | $1,095 |
$200,000 | $1,150 |
What are ‘boundaries’ and why it is important to set them when you first move in
Moving in with housemates can be an exciting adventure, offering opportunities for new friendships and shared experiences. However, it's essential to establish boundaries from the start to ensure a harmonious living environment. In this blog post, we'll explore what boundaries are, why they're important, and how to set them effectively when you first move in with housemates.
What Are Boundaries?
Boundaries are the personal limits, expectations, and guidelines that individuals set to maintain their physical, emotional, and mental well-being in relationships and social interactions. In the context of living with housemates, boundaries define the acceptable behaviors, responsibilities, and boundaries of privacy within shared living spaces.
Why Are Boundaries Important?
Respect and Consideration: Establishing boundaries promotes mutual respect and consideration among housemates. It ensures that each individual's needs, preferences, and personal space are acknowledged and respected, fostering a positive and supportive living environment.
Conflict Prevention: Clear boundaries help prevent misunderstandings, conflicts, and resentment among housemates. When everyone understands and respects each other's boundaries, it minimizes the likelihood of disagreements and promotes healthier communication and relationships.
Personal Well-being: Boundaries contribute to individual well-being by safeguarding personal space, privacy, and emotional boundaries. They allow housemates to maintain a sense of autonomy, safety, and comfort within the shared living space, reducing stress and promoting a healthier living environment.
How to Set Boundaries When Moving In
Communicate Openly: Initiate open and honest conversations with your housemates about boundaries and expectations from the beginning. Discuss topics such as personal space, noise levels, cleanliness standards, and shared responsibilities.
Be Specific: Clearly articulate your boundaries and expectations, being as specific as possible. Consider aspects such as quiet hours, guest policies, food sharing, and chore rotations to ensure that everyone is on the same page.
Listen and Compromise: Be receptive to your housemates' boundaries and concerns and be willing to negotiate and compromise to reach mutual agreements. Respect each other's perspectives and be open to finding solutions that accommodate everyone's needs.
Establish House Rules: Collaboratively establish house rules and guidelines that reflect the collective values and preferences of all housemates. Documenting these rules can serve as a reference point and help reinforce accountability and consistency.
Regular Check-ins: Schedule regular check-ins with your housemates to review and reassess boundaries as needed. Life circumstances and preferences may change over time, so it's important to maintain open communication and adjust boundaries accordingly.
Setting boundaries when moving in with housemates is essential for fostering respect, preventing conflicts, and promoting individual well-being. By initiating open communication, being specific about expectations, and prioritizing mutual respect and compromise, housemates can create a supportive and harmonious living environment where everyone feels valued and respected.
Remember, boundaries are not about building walls but about establishing healthy guidelines that promote mutual respect, consideration, and well-being among housemates.
Where there is a market, there are scammers. How to spot them and avoid getting caught in their webs
In the current tight rental market, alongside the promise of opportunity, lurk the unsettling presence of scammers. As the demand for rental properties continues to soar, it's crucial for tenants to stay bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, armed with savvy know-how to dodge deceptive schemes.
Trust Your Gut Instincts
Often, your intuition can be your best defense against scams. If something feels too good to be true or if the communication with the landlord seems suspicious, don't ignore those red flags. Take your time to investigate further before committing to anything.
Research, Research, Research
Before engaging with any rental listings or landlords, conduct thorough research. Verify the legitimacy of the property and the landlord through multiple sources. Check online reviews and ask for references
Beware of Unrealistic Deals
Scammers often lure potential tenants with unbelievably low prices or extraordinary amenities to entice them into making rushed decisions. Be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true, as they likely are.
Request Documentation and Contracts: Legitimate private landlords will have no qualms providing proper documentation, including rental agreements, property ownership papers, and identification. Insist on reviewing these documents before making any payments or commitments.
Never pay Money or Share Personal Information
One of the most common tactics used by scammers is to request upfront payments via wire transfer or to ask for sensitive personal information. Refrain from sharing financial details or making payments before verifying the authenticity of the rental arrangement.
Visit the Property in Person
Whenever possible, schedule a physical visit to the property before finalizing any agreements. This allows you to inspect the premises, meet the landlord in person, and confirm that the listing matches its description.
Seek Legal Advice if Necessary: If you suspect that you've encountered a rental scam or have fallen victim to one, seek legal advice immediately. Reporting the incident to the relevant authorities can help prevent others from falling victim to similar schemes.
Helpful Directory for Tenants
[Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog post is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. The CoHabs are not associated with any of the links on this page. We are providing this as a resource. It is recommended to consult with relevant authorities or professionals for specific guidance on rental agreements and housemate arrangements.]
Questions?
hello@thecohabs.com
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The CoHabs is a registered business ABN 27 902 257 396