People find housemates in order to have company, to share costs, to try out living together before making a more formal relationship. Some of the things to discuss and decide before you agree to be housemates are * distribution of costs -- rent, utility bills, phone bills, etc. * how to distribute the household chores * how often each will do the household chores * what will be shared? food? furniture? which rooms or space? * quiet hours, noise levels * joint or individual parties * guests, especially overnight guests * privacy * general levels of cleanliness and clutter