Threat of force of house sale

BAFE

I don't understand how you can say there is very little equity in a property that was purchased at least 10 years ago?  How so?

Renew the lease anyway, and the cost for this should be deducted before any split is made.  I think 50/50 is a starting point but your friend could use the argument that he has paid for the house solely for the last 10 years and so deserves a bigger portion of the equity.

Is this your friend or your boyfriend?  Going forwards, I'd be very wary about tying my finances in with a man who did nothing to organise his financial settlement until he was forced to.  This should have been the very first thing he did and it doesn't reflect well on him that he did nothing - thats not a good financial partner to have.