Buying home with girlfriend

Newbie999_2

I was wondering if anyone could give their views on my situation. I am in the process of buying a house with my girlfriend who i have been with for 8 months. My girlfriend does not earn much and it will be me putting a 25% deposit down and paying the mortgage and most of the bills. Is it wrong for me to have the property in my name only?. I love and trust her but also want to protect myself or does that just seem selfish?

Emmzi

I would not be buying a property with anyone after 8 months.

I would put it in your name and be sure not to let her contribute to the mortgage, bills etc. (some food shopping is ok)

As and when you get married it will be simple to transfer it to joint names,

This may not make your g/f happy, so good luck!

caledonian_princess

You may find that when you get your mortgage you're asked about who else will be living in the house with you - I was. I think it's because of the "rights" co-habitees might get over time, (not absolutely certain because I was single at the time), so you might need some sort of legal agreement in place to satisfy them... still, at least that's the mortgage company asking for it not you so it shouldn't be so difficult for your gf to deal with.

I agree with Emmzi though, get a place on your own for now.

Spartacus_Mills

Newbie999 wrote: »

I was wondering if anyone could give their views on my situation. I am in the process of buying a house with my girlfriend who i have been with for 8 months. My girlfriend does not earn much and it will be me putting a 25% deposit down and paying the mortgage and most of the bills. Is it wrong for me to have the property in my name only?. I love and trust her but also want to protect myself or does that just seem selfish?

Not wrong at all but very very sensible.

Seanymph

Absolutely right! She may not like it of course - but then, that's just unfortunate.

You need to look after you in this life. She of course will be looking after her. She is better served by getting half a house she doesn't pay for, you on the other hand need to protect your investment and look after your money smartly.

Smart people don't give away their cash.

8 Months is not a long time (oh I'm an old lady now!) - I remember when I thought that meant forever - but really, you don't know each other that well, you haven't lived together (which changes everything believe me) and twining money should always be last on the list.

If you end up married then you can change things, if you don't believe in marriage but have children together or are still there in five years or she starts earning equitably then great, alter it.

In the meantime go see your solicitor without her, ask how to protect yourself, and then make out a will whilst you are there.

it's only sensible.

2bFrank

Ive been with my girlfriend for 8 years and only now am I buying a house with her. To give a bit of perspecitive, I'm now 28 and my partner is 25. We have rented together for the last 2 years, and I am most glad we did. Trust me you do not know someone until you live with them, have to tidy up after them (or in our case, my partner tidys up after me), budget money with them, rota household chores. Its a whole different ball game when you are living together completely.

My best advice would be to see if you can rent together for a bit and test the waters. It may seem like wasting money, however 1 years worth of rent to see if you can at least work together in a house will be money well spent, plus it will be easier to go your seperate ways if you split up. If you have bought a house, even if everything is in your name, she could end up being a right so and so, and refuse to move out, try and claim a share of the house etc.

Thats my 2p worth anyways. 8 months isnt very long at all. Im my eyes after 8 months, she would just get past the casual fling stage and on to someone who I barley acknowledge as going out with, but thats me.

hazyjo

I'd buy on your own for now too. I think it depends on your ages as to how long '8 months' is. I think 8 months in a relationship in your 20s is different to when you're in your 40s! Everyone's presuming very young - I presume that too - but you might be in your 50s for all we know lol!

If you're under 20, I'd definitely just rent for a while together. If you're 20s (which I think we're all presuming), I'd buy on your own or consider renting together for a while. 30s plus, hmmm, I might feel a bit bit different about that.

Jx

poppysarah

Rent first.

8 months is not enough time to make such a decision.

Phelpsie001

Kinda agree with everyone else!!

I bought a house when I was 20 ... gf moved in ... turned very nasty and I was so glad that everything was in my name and I could prove that she hadn't contributed financially for more than 3 months, so I was protected!!

superbabe612

If you're already in the middle of the process of buying, does that mean it's too late to change your mind and rent for a year instead?
If so, get legal advice about protecting your interests (your mortgage lender will want to protect their interests anyway!)
I'd known my ex-husband for 8 months when we started talking about marriage, and I loved and trusted him completely, as did my parents. We got married, had kids, bought a house together. My parents lent him money for his business, I got loans and credit cards in my name to fund his business and worked for him for a pittance. Ten years later I lost my house, my job, my car and my credit rating.
I've been with my 'new' boyfriend for 10 years. After a couple of years of dating, we moved in together and rented for 5 years with my sole name on the tenancy agreement and all the bills. Another 2 years of a joint tenancy agreement and we're now buying a house together. It's only an opinion, but 8 months is not enough time to know a person, or to know your own feelings for a person.
Good luck!

DannyboyMidlands

If you're paying the deposit, the mortgage AND the bills then this is your house. Full stop. I'd be very careful that this girl isn't taking you for a ride. She's not even paying the bills?!!!!!