Buying a House With Your Partner UK — Complete Guide

Buying with a partner is a big financial and legal commitment. Here’s how to protect both of you.

Types of Ownership

Joint Tenants

Feature	Details
Ownership	Equal 50/50
On death	Automatically passes to other
Can’t leave in will	Property passes regardless
Selling	Both must agree
Best for	Married couples, equal stakes

Tenants in Common

Feature	Details
Ownership	Can be any split (e.g., 60/40)
On death	Your share passes per your will
Need a will	To specify who inherits
Selling	Both must agree
Best for	Unequal contributions, unmarried couples

Which to Choose

Situation	Recommended
Married, equal deposits	Joint tenants
Unmarried, equal deposits	Either (consider tenants in common)
Unequal deposits	Tenants in common
One person paying more	Tenants in common
Protecting inheritance	Tenants in common

Joint Mortgages

How Joint Mortgages Work

Aspect	Details
Liability	Both equally responsible for full amount
If one doesn’t pay	Other must cover it
Credit score	Both checked, both affected
Income	Combined for affordability

Important Points

Consideration	Details
“Joint and several”	Each liable for whole debt
Credit link	Created between you
Future borrowing	Affects both credit files
If split	Mortgage continues until dealt with

Income Calculation

Method	How It Works
Combined income	Both salaries added
Typical multiplier	4-4.5x combined income
Deposit	Can be from either/both

Protecting Your Investment

Cohabitation Agreement

What It Covers	Why Important
Who owns what	Clear if deposits unequal
Monthly contributions	Who pays mortgage, bills
If you split	How to divide assets
Major decisions	Selling, improvements

| Cost | Expect £500-£1,000 each |

Declaration of Trust (Deed of Trust)

Feature	Details
Records contributions	Deposit amounts
Sets ownership split	Can differ from legal title
What happens on sale	How proceeds divided
Legally binding	If properly executed

| Cost | £200-£500 |

When You Need Protection

Situation	Document Needed
Unequal deposits	Declaration of Trust
Living together unmarried	Cohabitation Agreement
Complex arrangements	Both documents
One person not on mortgage	Declaration essential

Unequal Contributions

Recording Different Stakes

Contribution	How to Handle
Different deposits	Tenants in common, document split
One pays more monthly	Agree if builds equity share
Parental gift	Declare clearly
Ongoing disparity	Regular review and update

Example Scenarios

Scenario	Fair Approach
£50k + £20k deposits	71/29 split on sale
Equal deposits, unequal payments	Agree ongoing share change
One pays all, both on deed	Must document to protect payer
Parental help for one	That person’s contribution

Handling Gifts from Parents

Consideration	Details
Is it gift or loan?	Document clearly
Mortgage declaration	Lender needs gift letter
Ownership impact	Usually benefits recipient
Put in writing	Avoid future disputes

The Buying Process Together

Getting Mortgage Ready

Step	Both Need To
Check credit scores	Free services available
Save deposit	Agree who contributes what
Reduce debts	Improves affordability
Stable income	Lenders want to see this

Key Decisions

Decision	Why Important
Budget	Don’t overstretch together
Location	Both need to agree
Property type	Lifestyle match
Ownership type	Protect both interests

Documents Needed (Both)

Document	Purpose
ID	Proof of identity
Address proof	Utility bills, statements
Payslips (3 months)	Income evidence
Bank statements (3-6 months)	Spending, savings
Employment contract	If recently changed

What If You Split Up?

Without Legal Agreement

Outcome	What Happens
Ownership	Per Land Registry (usually 50/50)
Contributions	Hard to prove mattered
Courts	Expensive, uncertain outcome
Deposit disparity	May be lost

With Proper Documentation

Outcome	What Happens
Ownership	As per Deed of Trust
Contributions	Already agreed
Resolution	Clearer, cheaper
Protection	For both parties

Options If Splitting

Option	Considerations
Sell property	Split proceeds per agreement
One buys out other	Needs new mortgage
Continue as is	Rarely practical
Rent out	May need lender consent

Buying Out a Partner

Step	Details
Agree valuation	Joint or independent
Calculate buyout	Per ownership share
New mortgage	Affordability on one income
Transfer of equity	Legal process
Stamp duty	May apply

Special Situations

When Only One Name Is on Mortgage

Situation	What It Means
One on mortgage	That person fully liable
Both on deed	Both own (as chosen)
Deed of Trust	Protects non-mortgaged party
Mortgage payments	Doesn’t automatically create ownership

When One Partner Has Bad Credit

Option	Details
Solo mortgage	Better credit partner alone
Wait and improve	If time allows
Specialist lenders	Higher rates
Guarantor	If family can help

Already Own Property

Partner’s Situation	Impact
One already owns	May face second home SDLT
Selling to buy together	May need timing coordination
Keeping as BTL	Affects affordability

Summary: Buying Together Checklist

Before Looking

Action	Done
Discuss budget honestly	☐
Check both credit scores	☐
Agree ownership type	☐
Discuss what if scenarios	☐

During Purchase

Action	Done
Joint mortgage application	☐
Decide joint tenants/tenants in common	☐
Get Deed of Trust (if unequal)	☐
Consider cohabitation agreement	☐

Documents to Get

Document	Who Provides
Deed of Trust	Solicitor
Cohabitation Agreement	Family solicitor
Gift letters	From family
Wills (if tenants in common)	Solicitor

Key Questions to Agree

Topic	Your Answer
How much each contributing?	£_____ / £_____
Ownership split?	_____% / _____%
Who pays mortgage?
Who pays bills?
What if one loses job?
What if we split?
What if one wants to sell?

Buying together requires open conversations and proper documentation. It may feel awkward to discuss breakup scenarios when you’re excited about buying together, but getting this right protects both of you.