House bought and paid for by me in sole name - is it always mine?

gelato_cat

I'm not sure where to find the answer to this, but:

If I buy a house outright, in my sole name (with my savings, inheritance and proceeds from selling a house I own with my ex), to live in it with my boyfriend, what happens if we were to split up later?

Are there any circs under which he'd be able to argue that he is entitled to a share of it?

Would the answer be different if we got married at some point after moving in?

Is there any way I can protect myself?

Pre-empting any comments in case anyone thinks I'm being mean or doom-mongering: I fully get that anything we would earn etc while married is a team sport.  But I worked hard for my savings and for the deposit on my first house (I appreciate that I didn't earn the (small) inheritance), most of which was before this relationship, some during, and my bf has no savings that he can contribute to a house purchase.  So it would have to be me that makes the purchase unless we involve a mortgage which surely complicates the situation and makes it more expensive.

Forgot to say: we don't have children and we aren't going to have any, in case that makes a difference.

diystarter7

Hi OP

You take join loan out and the only way to repay is sell the house,

With time, depending on how long you been togerher, is another scenrio where it is not just yours but you can pay them off in a divorce, etc

Another is, you own someone money etc and the only way to recover it is by selling the property etc

If you are very worried, consult a solictor

Thanks

Keep_pedalling

If you marry it will become a marital asset which might see a 50/50 split unless the marriage turns out to be a short one.

The only other way he would have a claim if he contributed to its upkeep.

RAS

Possibly better on the buying and letting forum?

But, get BF to pay his share of the CT, utilities, household costs.

Do not allow him to pay "rent", contributions towards the mortgage, or pay/take out a loan for improvements. And be careful about letting him physically undertake improvements.

diystarter7

RAS said:

Possibly better on the buying and letting forum?

But, get BF to pay his share of the CT, utilities, household costs.

Do not allow him to pay "rent", contributions towards the mortgage, or pay/take out a loan for improvements. And be careful about letting him physically undertake improvements.

Hi

How would that make a difference if, lets say they had been together for 20 years and then go for a divorce?

Just asking

Thanks

RAS

diystarter7 said:

RAS said:

Possibly better on the buying and letting forum?

But, get BF to pay his share of the CT, utilities, household costs.

Do not allow him to pay "rent", contributions towards the mortgage, or pay/take out a loan for improvements. And be careful about letting him physically undertake improvements.

Hi

How would that make a difference if, lets say they had been together for 20 years and then go for a divorce?

Just asking

Thanks

If they marry, everything if shared.

TripleH

If they divorced then at some point he would have become a spouse and the split starts at 50:50.

If they lived as an unmarried couple then he would (assuming the suggestions to Op above) be entitled to nothing.

diystarter7

RAS said:

diystarter7 said:

RAS said:

Possibly better on the buying and letting forum?

But, get BF to pay his share of the CT, utilities, household costs.

Do not allow him to pay "rent", contributions towards the mortgage, or pay/take out a loan for improvements. And be careful about letting him physically undertake improvements.

Hi

How would that make a difference if, lets say they had been together for 20 years and then go for a divorce?

Just asking

Thanks

If they marry, everything if shared.

Thats what I thought hence the question to you re your post. So how would that differ if they lived together as paretners and then divorced as you post is implying that doing what you suggest may help the OP in speration

Thanks

diystarter7

TripleH said:

If they divorced then at some point he would have become a spouse and the split starts at 50:50.

If they lived as an unmarried couple then he would (assuming the suggestions to Op above) be entitled to nothing.

Really, I've read many posts here that talk differently.

I'd be grateful if you or Ras could post a link, please.

Thnaks

Sarahspangles

A Living Together Agreement made out in deed form is one way to protect your assets.  There’s advice about these on the Advice Now site. 

It’s actually helpful to understand each others’ financial position/plans from the start. Then assumptions can’t get made that lead to friction later on.  For example you could agree your boyfriend splits bills but doesn’t pay rent on the basis he saves this instead.  Then if you marry he will have a sum to buy a share in the house, or if you split he will have a deposit.  

sheramber

diystarter7 said:

RAS said:

diystarter7 said:

RAS said:

Possibly better on the buying and letting forum?

But, get BF to pay his share of the CT, utilities, household costs.

Do not allow him to pay "rent", contributions towards the mortgage, or pay/take out a loan for improvements. And be careful about letting him physically undertake improvements.

Hi

How would that make a difference if, lets say they had been together for 20 years and then go for a divorce?

Just asking

Thanks

If they marry, everything if shared.

Thats what I thought hence the question to you re your post. So how would that differ if they lived together as paretners and then divorced as you post is implying that doing what you suggest may help the OP in speration

Thanks

If they are living as partners, not married, he cannot get a divorce. A divorce ends a marriage or civl partnership.

If only living together they just go their separater ways.

As long as boyfriend has not paid towards mortgage or for any improvements to the house he has no beneficial interst in the property.

He can pay half the bills, for nights out, for holidays etc These do not give him any beneficial interest in the property.