Credit Card application advice req'd!

FatManonaBike

Hi all!


I've done my best to try and find the answer to this by searching, but have failed! Could anyone help me, please?

A little over three years ago, I moved in with my girlfriend, who is a homeowner (or, at least, has a dirty great big mortgage). I give her half of the mortgage and bills, etc., but we have no formal written arrangement, and all the bills are still in her name.

For the purposes of making a credit card/loan application (as, except an overdraft, I'm finally debt-free), am I a tenant, or a homeowner?!


Thanks!

Trajal

If your name is on the deeds in any capacity then you're a homeowner. You should know if this is the case. If you don't know and want to check then a search on the property postcode with the land registry will give you all details regarding the mortgage and charges held by anyone with any other interest in the property. Costs a couple of quid from memory.

If your name is not then you are effectively a tenant. Albeit that you don't have a tenancy agreement, by virtue of your occupation of the premises for a continuous period and provable financial records you have the same rights as a short term assured tenant under the landlord and tenant act.

FatManonaBike

Thanks, Trajal. I suspected this to be the case, but I was rather confused. It doesn't take much...

Trajal

No problems fella. Just be aware that if anything goes wrong between you two, all she has to do is call the police and you have *nothing* to stop them from removing you from the property.

If I were you, I'd make a formal written agreement that promises you the right to abode in exchange for an enhanced contribution to the household (don't include the mortgage payments as rent on your behalf because that could create issues with mortgage companies and buy-to-let arrangements not being followed correctly).

Just to protect yourself, I have personally had the same situation where the lady concerned decided that after I'd lost my job she wanted me out of the house (despite the fact that I'd been paying the majority of the mortgage for the previous 2 years) and the police hoofed me out quicker than you can say 'cunsternoon aftable'. Mad.

FatManonaBike

Not a bad idea. Thank you, kind Sir! I think I'm pretty safe, as she knows that I'd take the dog.

If she ever stops me from keeping my bikes in the dining room, I'm off...