sell house for a pound

pauliam

Hi I don't know if this is the right place to ask this so apoligise up front.

I have a house with a mortgage, My girlfriend moved in with me 4 years ago and now she has left she is taken me to court to claim have the house.

I'm pretty sure she hasn't got a case but I had this happen quite a few years ago and I lost everything. So this time I want to make sure I don't lose out this time as I don't have any faith in the british justice system.

My question is can I sell my house to my parents for a £1 or £10.
If so wants involved, how do I go obout this.
Do I have to inform the mortgage company or can I transfer the mortgage to my parents.
Please someone help me on this matter as time is of the essence.

I know you are all going to write back and say the courts will rule in my favour but they didn't last time and I thought I had a cast iron case.

Please sensable answer.

Paul

Running_Horse

I doubt the courts would look favourably on any attempt to transfer ownership of a house to avoid their judgement.

joeblack066

The courts will look at the fact that your ex contributed towards the cost of living at the property for the duration of her being there. This will include contributing towards the mortgage even though it may not have been done officially on that basis. At the end of the day, you shared the house, and the mortgage etc whilst she was there. How long had you had the house/ mortgage before she moved in? What was the value then compared to now? You need to go to see a solicitor to get advice on this, but I think that there will be no doubt that she will be entitled to something. Is there no way you could sort it out amicably?

A_Nice_Englishman

Have to echo what joeblack066 says, try to sort it out without involving lawyers if you can. The more they take, the less there is left for you and your ex.

Guy_Montag

Don't !!!! about on here, go see a proper lawyer

bobbie78

I'm not 100% sure but if her name isn't on the deeds etc and you don't have kids together, then unless she has something in writing to the effect you were letting her pay the mortgage/bills because she would get a share I don't think she has a case.

It is a common misconception that there is common law partners in the UK but that isn't the case (although I think they might be changing this soon).

Anyway unless you are married, or have kids together, or her name is on the mortgage / deeds too I don't think you have to worry too much about the house, it will just be down to who has the most receipts for things like the telly or can show it came out of their account. I'd check with CAB or shelter they might have more info for you.

Nicki

The courts will only give your ex girlfriend a share of your property if she is legally entitled to it - ie if she has paid towards the mortgage or towards improving the property. Her share will be in the same proportion as her contribution to the equity in the house. As you have not been married, she is not entitled to any maintenance/alimony from you.

What you are asking for is advice about how to defraud your ex girlfriend out of money which she is entitled to by virtue of her contribution to the equity in your house. (If she hasn't made any financial contribution to the equity she is entitled to nothing). I find that despicable tbh and hope that no one will give you advice about how to do this!

This isn't a question about the courts handing over your assets to strangers with no claim. Its about the law being applied to protect the interests of those who unwisely believed themselves to be in a stable and mutually trustworthy relationship with you.

In future, if you don't want your girlfriends to have any interest in your property, then don't take money from them for the mortgage or any house improvements.

A_Nice_Englishman

Just out of interest, how would a court decide whether the ex had made a contribution towards the mortgage or home improvements and if so how much?

IamNotOneOfTHEM

A_Nice_Englishman wrote: »

Just out of interest, how would a court decide whether the ex had made a contribution towards the mortgage or home improvements and if so how much?

I would think the mortgage would be paid off from a joint account and each of them putting in their share.

Nicki

The ex would need to prove it on the balance of probabilities. A bank statement showing that she had paid money to the building society direct would do it, or a set amount to the boyfriend per month, or payments into a joint account from which mortgage payments were made. For home improvements, evidence of payment to the tradesmen direct.

If the ex had paid the utility bills and running costs from her own account but no improvements and nothing into a joint account, and boyfriend had paid the mortgage in full from his account, the ex will have an up hill battle claiming anything though.

HugoSP

I have hard of similar happening. One female friend of mine had a live in boyfriend for a few years and in that time her house rose £14k in value. She had to give him £7k in the end.