Money Moral Dilemma: Should I pay for repairs to my fiancé's house in return for joint ownership?

MSE_Kelvin

This week's MoneySaver who wants advice asks…

My fiancé lives mortgage-free in a house he inherited. It's in poor condition and needs £1,000s spent on repairs, but he has no savings to fund them. I currently rent a flat, but he wants us to live in the house together when we get married next year. He says if I pay for the repairs, he’ll make me joint owner - then we can decide whether to stay or rent it out. What's worries me is he hasn't shown me any documents to prove his ownership. Should I take on this responsibility?

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JGB1955

Pay £7 and you can find out the ownership ….

Search for land and property information - GOV.UK

elsien

If he’s inherited it, who else do you think it might belong to?

If you don’t think you can trust him to take him at his word, I would probably be more concerned about spending thousands on the house for him then to retract the agreement. So maybe you need to have some sort of written agreement about how much you will put in, what percentage you will get, et cetera prior to your marriage.

Or alternatively, he can sell up up taking the money for the house in its current condition and you can buy somewhere else between you?

sheramber

If you don’t trust him why are you considering marrying him?

Jemma01

These things shouldn't be done behind closed doors, you need a solicitor to draft whatever agreement it is to have it legally enforceable, including checking ownership and what happens if you split and all.

Also it doesn't sound like you like that house or think it's worth the investment. He just inherited it, didn't pay money towards it, yet expects you to pay? Where's his money going if he's rent free?

Erica51

If you don't think you can trust him over the ownership of the house you shouldn't be marrying him.

gothvixen

If you tell him you accept the offer, so you need to appoint a solicitor to create a contract, that would show whether or not he is the owner, but as Erica51 says, why marry someone you don't trust over such such a big issue? This isn't about eating the last Hobnob. Do you doubt his honesty because you have reason to, or have you had bad experiences with others you have trusted? You really should work through it before you marry, or you will always be troubled and the marriage is doomed. I wish you luck, and hope you find a solution that gives you peace of mind.

2702

Why don't you just ask him? I would not marry someone I could not talk to or trust.

MS888

I would be cautious. Houses that need work are a money pit so you need to be in it for the long term to see any return for your hard-earned cash.

Ownership can be proven as another forumite has said by applying to HM Land Registry or a copy of the title document for £7. You would want to see that he is the sole and absolute holder of the freehold title. Did the will put any conditions on the legacy? If so, is your partner adhering to those? Of course, you would then need to apply to have your name added to the title with his, if that is what you decide.

There are two "amber" flags:

1. If your partner cannot afford to put aside any savings or maintain the property now and he's not even needing to use any of his income for rent or mortgage, what makes you think he will be in any better position to maintain it after you've moved in and married? If your boiler breaks down in winter or your roof starts leaking, you'll have to fix it immediately, especially if you have tenants.
2. Have you seen a survey report that details all the faults and seen written quotes (not estimates) for the repairs? You can be fairly certain that there will be further mundane repairs and maintenance to do over time, before you even think about the interesting nice-to-see stuff. Costs can often escalate due to unforseen problems, so you would need to budget for some contingency.

As others have said, getting legal advice from outset may be a sensible move for the sake of a few £100s of solicitor time. There have been many legal disputes where two parties disagree as to the relative contributions that each has made to the property and, by implication, the relative share that each party owns; the results can be very costly.

If you're happy that you can resolve the above, rennovating a property can be very rewarding. It sounds like you're in an extremely fortunate position, as a couple, where you have no mortgage to pay thanks to a bequest in your partner's favour, so use that opportunity wisely.

ruth56_2

Simple, as ops have said, to check land registry title. If you are not sure he will do as promised, I would get a solicitor to start drawing up the document to add you as joint tennant in common, and give them to him to sign before paying anything out. Sounds strange that he has not spent anything on it himself as he is rent-free but maybe it's a recent inheritance?

Bonnypitlad

If this dilemma is genuine I hope your Fiancé isn’t reading this article

The expression “ Look a gift horse in the mouth “ comes to mind