Cohabiting - who owns what?

Cohabiting couples often share their assets and money, but the absence of legal formality in such situations is a common source of dispute when relationships come to an end.

This was the situation in one case in which a woman successfully fought off her ex-partner's claim to a stake in her property portfolio.

The woman owned three properties. Following the acrimonious end of their relationship, her ex-partner claimed that they had treated their assets as a 'single pot' when they were together. In what he described as a joint venture, he said that he had put much money, resources and physical effort into renovating one of her properties in particular, rendering it fit for human habitation.

In rejecting his claim, however, the First-tier Tribunal found that he had fallen far short of establishing that there was a common intention that he should have a share in the properties, which were held in her sole name. He had made no direct contribution to mortgage repayments and there had been no pooling of money.

Although the repair and maintenance work he carried out was not insignificant, it was a reflection of his desire to assist her whilst they were living together as husband and wife and was not attributable to any pecuniary self-interest on his part. She had continued to take sole responsibility for her properties, paying all outgoings, and had never promised him that his work would earn him a share in them.

This article was written by Rex Cowell. It was published as 'Cohabiting couples - who owns what?' on 24 March 2016.

See other articles by Rex Cowell here.

--Rex Cowell Solicitors

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[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki

• Cohousing.
• Glossary of property law terms.
• Ground rent.
• Joint venture.
• Mortgage.
• Prenuptial Housing.