house deeds

[poor]

My partner bought a house last year. We were not yet ready to get a joint mortgage, plus my salary has not been stable (am training). We are re-furbishing the house, and I want to contribute but at present - due to not being on the mortgage etc do not want to potentially throw my money away by paying for a house that has no link to me. Without joining my partner on the mortgage, how else can i link myself to the house - can my name be put on the deeds? this would make me feel more secure about contributing to the re-furbishment.

[dot.hawkes]

is there maybe a little bit more to this than the fact you want to be linked to the house? You mention security, are you deep down not 100% into this relationship unless you get some legal commitment? Like a Marriage maybe? Sorry if i am taking this into the relationship category lol

[poor]

no, we have been together for 5 years and the future looks bright!
my thoughts are just concerned with money. i want to contribute to the house yet feel it could be throwing my money away as, despite it being 'our' house, officially the house has nothing to do with me (no-one who gets married thinks they'll divorce but it does happen. and i want to be covered for anything that could possible happen)
Can you get put onto the deeds without being on the mortgage???!!!!

[dannydingbat]

No you can't. The deeds are in the names of the owners and only the owners can borrow money against the security of the property and have their names on a mortgage.

This law is very complicated and you need professional advice on your rights.

I agree with dot. An old fashioned view I know but marriage is a statement of commitment and it seems that there is not much of that from either side here. Your status may be affected by your non married status in this arrangement.

[poor]

I have heard of people putting their children on the deeds(i.e. if parents old, ill etc) - surely the children arent on the mortgage as well?
or does it work differently with family members?

you are right about getting professional advice - I plan to!

as for marriage.....sometimes i think 'yes' other times 'no'! - mostly when we argue about money and me not wanting to make significant investments into a house that isnt mine - which he doesnt understand.....

[pilla_uk]

Your partner can consent to your name being put on the deeds of the property, so effectively it is held in equal parts by the two of you although he contributes. If you do not then your position on relationship breakdown is much more shaky as you are only a cohabitee. In that case you can bring any action under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act for you to recieve a portion of the value of the property but you need to establish a common intention to share the property at the time it was purchased and show a pattern of contributions. So for example if you paid all the bills while he just paid the mortgage it is persuasive if that was the only reason he could afford to pay the mortgage by himself. Go see a solicitor and is straight forward to sort out your name on the property otherwise you are unprotected if the unfortunate happens. If not at least make sure he has a will leaving you the property so if he dies you dont lose your home