Mortgage warning for unmarried couples as ex gets half of the Property
Ex-boyfriend entitled to half share 17 years after split even though he did not pay mortgage. An appeal court ruled that despite paying the £6,000 deposit on the £30,000 property she bought with her then-partner. She paid the mortgage whilst he paid £100-a-week living costs for 8 years, after moving out and offering no maintenance for the two children, and no CSA claim was made. He recently made a claim for the property and won!!
Appeal judges recently ruled that a man who left his partner some 17 years ago was still entitled to a half share in the property even though he had never paid the mortgage or even contributed to the mortgage or made any overpayments when they were together.
The Law Commission in 2007 produced a report acknowledging the need for reform legislation for cohabiting couples. However, the law still hasn’t changed.
Conveyancing solicitors have the duty to explain the ways to own a property but often this advice is not given.