buying a house, living with partner, single mortgage...

fleenio

Hi there,

I have a few questions for you guys and girlies.

My boyfriend and I went to see a mortgage broker last week, now as my boyfriend is only in temp work, it turns out that I can get a mortgage myself for X amount, rather than joint. I am putting down all the deposit too.

If I was to go ahead with the mortgage in my name and pay all the deposit and continue to live with my boyfriend and say he paid me some "rent" towards the mortgage when he has some work, if we were to split up, would he have a claim against me? I thought he woudlnt have as 1 - its not a joint mortgage 2 - we are not married. My friend has just warned me that if we were to split up then he could claim for some money off me, and now my head is spinning. If this is the case, what could i do to prevent this from happening if we were to split up, ie solicitors agreement or something?

(im not saying we would split up, or that he would try and claim money off me - but i wouldnt put it past his parents pushing him into it lol - I just want to make sure i have protected myself).

TIA

opinions4u

Talk to your boyfriend and get a solicitor's agreement in place prior to purchase. Relatively cheap and simple to do - but make sure that both of you are committed to it.

You should also include what would cause the agreement to cease or change (e.g. marriage, time, failure to pay "rent" etc.).

kinglewis

Once you partner has lived in your house for about 2 years he would be able to make a claim against you if you sold.

The best way is to keep a rent book confirming what he has paid each month. This way it can be shown in court exactly what his contributions have been.

See a solicitor to make it all official. (Bet your boyfriend won't be too happy! It always causes friction!)

http://www.lawontheweb.co.uk/basics/cohabit.htm

Kavanne

if he's not happy to do it i'd worry about his intentions

fleenio

Thanks guys for clearing that up - I will speak to my solicitor.

He seems happy enough to go ahead with it.