Cohabitation Rights: What You Need to Know Before the Move

Today, cohabitation is far more popular than it was several decades ago, but the law surrounding it is still widely misunderstood. In this article, the Simon Long Removals Gloucester team will be taking a look at cohabitation rights so you can get a better idea of where you stand before you enter into anything.

Cohabitation defined

Cohabitation can be understood simply as an arrangement where two people live together but aren’t married. These people are often in a long-term romantic relationship, but this isn’t a legal necessity.

Does my partner have a right to my house?

When you decide to cohabit with a partner in a property that you own, the chances are that you may decide to split the cost of living, such as the mortgage and bills. However, this does mean that, if you end up splitting, your partner may have a legal right to an interest in your home. This could even mean that you may be forced to sell the property and that your partner could claim some money from the sale. 

Here are some of the factors that may cause such a scenario to arise:

• Contributions towards the purchase price of the property
• Contributions towards the cost of substantial works to the property
• Contributions towards the upkeep of the property, such as utility bills or service charges

Cohabitation agreements

A cohabitation agreement is a legal agreement that allows a couple to be treated as though they’re married even though they’re not, meaning they can benefit in areas such as child support and mortgages in the same way married couples do.

One of the main reasons a cohabitation agreement is drawn up is to protect couples from having to go to court if their cohabitation eventually breaks down, because the agreement will outline what will happen to the property and other assets. In particular, a cohabitation agreement will outline whether the person who doesn’t own the property has an interest in it through the money they have contributed, or if it’s simply considered as rental payment.

Cohabitation tips for new couples

• This might seem clichéd, but don’t rush. This is a big commitment to make and you have all the time in the world, so take things as slowly as you need to.
• Sharing finances doesn’t have to be tricky, all you need to do is start planning early. Having a shared card for joint purchases can really make things a lot simpler and save you having to move money around.
• Sort out who will be doing what around the house. This way, you can always expect to have an empty bin and a full fridge!
• While it might seem like a cohabitation agreement is an unnecessary legal step, it could really give both parties peace of mind and make things a little more straightforward if the worst does happen.

Simon Long Removals Gloucester is one of the most popular removals companies in the area. If you are moving to Gloucester and want to recruit an experienced, skilled team that will make your big day go smoothly, then all you have to do is give us a call and a member of our team will be there to assist you.