Separation… where do I stand?

Spendless

When I bought a house in the 90s as a single woman and asked my solicitor what would happen if I was to later move a boyfriend in then we split would he have any claim on the house.

The answer was 'every case is judged on it's own merit'

This remains the case. It will depend on how much your ex has put into the house improving it (and if that's been financial showing the evidence) it *might*  also be that *if* he provided childcare for the daughter you share which in turn enabled you to work longer hours/a better job then that *might* get taken into account too. But he'd need to go to a solicitor to find out. 

tightauldgit

kattynel123 said:

elsien said:

The only way he might have a claim is if he could show he had acquired a beneficial interest in the property from the work he had done, which would require him going to court if you couldn’t reach agreement.

https://england.shelter.org.uk/professional_resources/legal/relationship_breakdown/housing_rights_of_cohabiting_sole_homeowners/occupation_rights_if_one_partner_is_the_sole_owner#:~:text=a%20general%20guide.-,Definition%20of%20beneficial%20interest,right%20to%20occupy%20a%20property.

from what you’ve posted (caveat - I’m no legal expert) It seems unlikely that he’s done anything that would entitle him to much at all.

I recently worked with a gentleman who’d paid to have a conservatory built on the back of the house and a completely new kitchen but everything was cash with no paper trail  and the solicitor was very noncommittal about whether it would go anywhere. Slightly different situation in that his partner passed away and it was the children being difficult about their “inheritance”. 

He’d lived there 20 odd years spent all his savings on the property and ended up walking away with nothing. Just as a point of comparison.

Thank you for all of this! 

I think it’s doubtful he would pursue taking me to court, but you just never know. 

 I will read the link you’ve sent in more detail but it looks more helpful than anything I’ve found online. 

Thanks once again. 

It doesn't sound like he would have much claim on the property but of course nobody can say for sure except the judge on the day. If you are reasonably sure he won't want to go to court then he wouldn't be able to get anything without doing so. 

Mojisola

kattynel123 said:

I am a homeowner and have been since 2009. My partner has lived with me this whole time but has never consistently contributed to ANY bills. He does not regularly give me any money, even towards the food bills.

I know I sound like an absolute mug

"I wouldn’t want to see him struggle and would help where I can."

Be careful of continuing to be taken for a ride.

If you can afford it, decide on one-off payments such as a deposit and first month's rent on somewhere for him to live (to make you feel happier) but stick at that.

It would be very easy to become his cash machine with him turning up every time a bill has to be paid.

Addicts will always put their addiction first and will use anyone in their life - as you say, until he choses to get help, nothing will change.

You will also need to protect your daughter - https://al-anonuk.org.uk/ can offer support.

thegreenone

You say "my parents"?  Confused.  Do your parents live with you too?

elsien

thegreenone said:

You say "my parents"?  Confused.  Do your parents live with you too?

Predictive text has probably turned partner to parents. 

kattynel123

Spendless said:

When I bought a house in the 90s as a single woman and asked my solicitor what would happen if I was to later move a boyfriend in then we split would he have any claim on the house.

The answer was 'every case is judged on it's own merit'

This remains the case. It will depend on how much your ex has put into the house improving it (and if that's been financial showing the evidence) it *might*  also be that *if* he provided childcare for the daughter you share which in turn enabled you to work longer hours/a better job then that *might* get taken into account too. But he'd need to go to a solicitor to find out. 

I have been really fortunate to have my family help with childcare and early years education through my workplace too, so again, he’s not helped with this. Thank you! 

kattynel123

@thegreenone @elsien 🤣 I did mean partner not parents… sorry to confuse that vital piece of info! 

kattynel123

thegreenone said:

You say "my parents"?  Confused.  Do your parents live with you too?

I meant partner! Sorry! Predictive text