Buying a house on my own, but living with my girlfriend

Browny137

Hi all,

I'm currently in the process of buying my first house and will be living with my girlfriend. My question is: if we were to split up in a few years time, would she be entitled to anything from me?

The mortgage, bills and all household maintenance will be paid for by me. She will probably buy the food and some furniture.

I was under the impression that as long as everything is in my name I am safe, but others have expressed doubt in this.

Any advice would be very much appreciated.

RAS

You pay the mortgage and maintain the house (including building insurance); she contributes half the other bills.

Furniture, if she buys it, she can take it when she goes.

pmlindyloo

RAS wrote: »

You pay the mortgage and maintain the house (including building insurance); she contributes half the other bills.

Furniture, if she buys it, she can take it when she goes.

Can I just add, if you have children together then your partner may be able to get a court order to stay in the house with the children.

QUOTE from Adviceguide (CAB)

Rights to the home for owner-occupiers

If you and your partner are owner-occupiers, it's possible that only one of you is the actual owner of the property. If your partner is the sole owner, you may have no right to stay in your home if your partner asks you to leave.

However, if you have children, you can ask the court to transfer the property into your name. The court will only do this if it decides it is in the best interests of your children.

If you don't have children, you may be able to claim a financial interest in your home if you can show you contributed financially by, for example, paying for improvements or towards mortgage repayments. If you have a financial interest in your home you might be able to stop your partner from selling it. You'll need to get legal advice about this. You could get help with legal costs.

BitterAndTwisted

If you don't want your girlfriend to have a legitimate claim on your property then you must not accept from her any money which could be construed later as making a contribution towards your mortgage-payment.

Half of the Council tax and half of the utility-bills and grocery-shopping. No sums towards repairs and maintenance and no furniture unless you make it plain that it's her decision to buy and that she'll be welcome to take it with her when she goes. No payments for holidays or anything else which could be seen as in lieu of the mortgage.

sleepless_saver

Browny137 wrote: »

Hi all,

I'm currently in the process of buying my first house and will be living with my girlfriend. My question is: if we were to split up in a few years time, would she be entitled to anything from me?

.

Depends where in UK you live. In Scotland although she would have no right to a share of the property she could get occupancy rights .

tizerbelle

Take a look at this website - loads of information about living together in various circumstances and even creating a living together agreemement http://www.advicenow.org.uk/living-together//

[Deleted User]

I know someone doing this but they pay half the mortgage and split all the household bills.

jaylee3

Always makes me laugh, these 'I am in a relationship but don't want my partner to EVER EVER get any of my money' posts. :rotfl:

Makes me wonder why some people even get together. :cool:

lee111s

jaylee3 wrote: »

Always makes me laugh, these 'I am in a relationship but don't want my partner to EVER EVER get any of my money' posts. :rotfl:

Makes me wonder why some people even get together. :cool:

They may have been together 6 months while he's saved for 6 years while she's saved nothing. Most definitely wouldn't want someone that new in a relationship having a potential equal share the other has worked hard for.

princeofpounds

jaylee3 wrote: »

Always makes me laugh, these 'I am in a relationship but don't want my partner to EVER EVER get any of my money' posts. :rotfl:

Makes me wonder why some people even get together. :cool:

I don't think it's really like that.

After all, nobody goes on a first date and gets their chequebook out to hand over half their assets.

So EVERYONE makes a choice not to share their assets based on the level of the relationship.

The only question then is at what level you do share. Is one year enough? Two? Four? Ten? Is it when you love your partner 95% rather than 80%? Or do you do it the moment you fall in love?

It's totally a grey spectrum, not black and white, until you are married.

Browny137

jaylee3 wrote: »

Always makes me laugh, these 'I am in a relationship but don't want my partner to EVER EVER get any of my money' posts. :rotfl:

Makes me wonder why some people even get together. :cool:

I am 21 and have only been with her a while - OBVIOUSLY it would be unwise to risk losing £1000's in the name of 'trust'.