House ownership issue - any advice?

BJV

People in love do strange things and no-one ever goes into a relationship thinking that things will break down. Get legal advice.


Also have to say "Sharon" sounds like a !!!. Still I think that is a bit of jealously coming out I wish men would buy me houses!

fluffnutter

Thanks all. I might ask for this thread to be moved to the relationships board.

pyueck

fluffnutter wrote: »

Like I said, because she had a tantrum and he caved in to her demands. She's controlling and manipulative, although these are subjective descriptions, I know.

Perhaps it's not so much a legal issue, as a moral one, and I'm just looking for canny ways to try to persuade her to do the right thing.

No it's definitely a legal one.

As so often I say a good rule in life is don't ever leave yourself in a vulnerable place by placing your assets in the trust of somebody else (before you are married) i.e. relying on somebody to sign something over to you or having your money in somebody else's account.

What he has done by as you put it caving into her demands, is leave himself in a very very vulnerable position. He can certainly take legal advice but I don't know what the outcome would be.

lincroft1710

fluffnutter wrote: »

The reason I mentioned Pete is because he was party to their discussing the plans re. ownership when he sold Simon the house.

Would Peter remember this conversation, or more especially the relevant part of this conversation some 10 years later.

AdrianC

lincroft1710 wrote: »

Would Peter remember this conversation, or more especially the relevant part of this conversation some 10 years later.

And would "Well, yes, I remember it being discussed a decade ago" be exactly legally binding, even if he claimed to? For all he knows, they had another discussion the following day.

fluffnutter

lincroft1710 wrote: »

Would Peter remember this conversation, or more especially the relevant part of this conversation some 10 years later.

Yes. Remember she's his machinating ex. These things stick in your mind.

AdrianC wrote: »

And would "Well, yes, I remember it being discussed a decade ago" be exactly legally binding, even if he claimed to? For all he knows, they had another discussion the following day.

Indeed. I'm clutching at straws a little. Just trying to explore ways that might help him.

Jhoney_2

fluffnutter wrote: »

I'll try to be succinct.

Sharon and Pete live together in Pete's house (House A). He alone is on the title deeds and pays the mortgage. After some years Sharon and Pete split up and he moves out leaving her in House A. He continues to pay the bills and mortgage. Selling the house is raised a number of times but for various reasons this doesn't go ahead and Sharon continues to live in House A.

After a few more years Sharon meets Simon who moves in with her in House A. The relationships strengthens and Simon buys House A from Pete. He puts the house in Sharon's name with the expectation that they will soon marry. Simon pays all the bills and also funds a number of improvements. There is no mortgage on the house.

The relationship founders and a split is discussed. Simon buys Sharon another house (House which she moves into and he continues living in House A. Again her name alone is on the deeds and there is no mortgage. The agreement at the time of this purchase was that she transferred ownership of House A to Simon.

Roll on five years or so and this hasn't happened. Any suggestions on how Simon might best approach gaining ownership of House A? Despite assurances to that effect, Sharon has still not 'got round to' completing the paperwork.

As far as I can tell, Simon's legal position isn't the strongest because his success lies in proving that House A wasn't ever intended as a gift. All opinions/advice/suggestions welcome.

This is what makes the situation less plausible for Simon, imo. The relationship flounders - okay it happens... But surely this was the time to make the change in ownership. Instead what happens? He does it again!

I am not saying I have no sympathy, but on the 'evidence' it does look like gift behaviour.

If it was just house A, at least there was the sale to establish who paid and perhaps invoices etc for works. Doing it again established a pattern of behaviour and the fact that things had deteriorated before that cements that view,

It doesn't look good, but hope it all works out the way it should.

Can't think of anything that helps with your main question though, sorry. As has been said - legal advice, not forum discussions will be required.

fluffnutter

Jhoney wrote: »

This is what makes the situation less plausible for Simon, imo. The relationship flounders - okay it happens... But surely this was the time to make the change in ownership. Instead what happens? He does it again!

I am not saying I have no sympathy, but on the 'evidence' it does look like gift behaviour.

If it was just house A, at least there was the sale to establish who paid and perhaps invoices etc for works. Doing it again established a pattern of behaviour and the fact that things had deteriorated before that cements that view,

It doesn't look good, but hope it all works out the way it should.

Can't think of anything that helps with your main question though, sorry. As has been said - legal advice, not forum discussions will be required.

I completely agree. She's incredibly manipulative. They'd talked about buying somewhere else to rent out anyway so she suggested he do this, then she move out for a while to 'get her head straight'. In return for this new house she'd transfer ownership of House A. He thought it was a temporary split because this was how it was couched. Obviously once she'd got not one, but two, houses, any talk of a reconciliation fell by the wayside.

Why he didn't walk (run) away at the point and use his remaining funds to buy himself a place is beyond me. But like I say, he's in love and she's very clever. He's a fool, but he's a nice fool and he doesn't deserve this.

nubbins

Moral of the story, avoid Sharon at all costs!!

pyueck

nubbins wrote: »

Moral of the story, avoid Sharon at all costs!!

I wonder if Sharon's account is different, two sides to every story!