One for the cynics - Buying a house with partner
One for the cynics - Buying a house with partner
Author
Discussion

Jimbo NW

Original Poster:

828 posts

207 months

Wednesday 27th September 2017
quotequote all
I'm not sure if this should be within this section or the Homes section.

I am in the process of selling my first house which i have rented out over the past 4 years, the reason for the sale is i am relocating back to T'Norf and need to free up some equity for a new home with my partner.

I'd like to add her onto the mortgage / house documents. The equity is mine and most if not all of the mortgage will be coming from myself, but given i am dragging her (she is originally from the south) 200 miles North, part of me thinks that this is fair.

I've had advice that i can make her a shareholder in the property without being equal, but i'm keen to know the pitfalls of an arrangement like this.
A family member has suggested that i am mad to do this.

So the basic summary is:
Relocating, bringing partner
Would like to add her name onto the home / mortgage documents
The money is mine, equity and mortgage

I'm just a little worried about any legal risks down the line if we were to ever split.

Cupramax

11,007 posts

282 months

Wednesday 27th September 2017
quotequote all
You are insane, the end, snake with tits etc.

mikeveal

5,129 posts

280 months

Wednesday 27th September 2017
quotequote all
Google joint tenants and tenants in common.
Yes, I know you're buying rather than renting but these are the correct terms for what you're asking.

Wacky Racer

41,363 posts

277 months

Wednesday 27th September 2017
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Cupramax said:
You are insane, the end, snake with tits etc.
lol!

Like any marriage, partnership or whatever you want to call it, everything is fine until things go tits up.

Good luck in whatever you decide...smile



anonymous-user

84 months

Wednesday 27th September 2017
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if you're not married then tenants in common gives you lots of flexibility to stipulate who gets what.

havoc

33,431 posts

265 months

Wednesday 27th September 2017
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'My' first house was mortgage and title in my name only, but the conveyancing solicitors drew up an agreement to the effect that my (at the time) gf was a contributor to the property, and that I had provided equity of £x thousand up-front, and in the event of any separation she would get her share of any increase in equity.

(Done as a fair way of not diddling the gf out of anything but not leaving me open to her running off with half my equity)

Since married her, so it didn't really matter... wink

Jimbo NW

Original Poster:

828 posts

207 months

Wednesday 27th September 2017
quotequote all
keirik said:
if you're not married then tenants in common gives you lots of flexibility to stipulate who gets what.
Just read through the differences, sounds as though Tenants in Common would be the way to go definitely. I am wondering if it is even worthwhile other than showing "commitment" to my partner.
the example is:
- 25% deposit will be paid by me
- 100% of mortgage likely paid by me
- Bills likely paid by her.

I'd like to give her some stake in the property but seems there are risks either way? TiC or JT?

petrolbloke

521 posts

187 months

Wednesday 27th September 2017
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Can you get accepted for the mortgage by yourself? If she wants to get on the property ladder then she could look at buy to let.

Jimbo NW

Original Poster:

828 posts

207 months

Wednesday 27th September 2017
quotequote all
Yes that's not a problem from my side

KevinCamaroSS

13,841 posts

310 months

Wednesday 27th September 2017
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I suggest you set up a joint bank account, both pay into it and pay all the property/living costs from that. Percentage split can be as you think fit. Then tenants in common, your percentage to be 25% plus your share of the remaining 75%, hers to be her share of the 75% based on what you each pay into the joint account.

spookly

4,393 posts

125 months

Wednesday 27th September 2017
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I would just buy the house yourself, and you can charge her a reasonable rent.

mjb1

2,585 posts

189 months

Wednesday 27th September 2017
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You want a declaration/deed of trust drawing up. Your conveyancer should be able to do this, for a fairly small fee.

jon1bc

176 posts

160 months

Wednesday 27th September 2017
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Unless you need her on the mortgage to satisfy the lenders afordability criteria then it's just not worth the hassle and risk, particularly if you have kids later down the line.

PurpleMoonlight

22,362 posts

187 months

Wednesday 27th September 2017
quotequote all
Jimbo NW said:
I'd like to add her onto the mortgage / house documents. The equity is mine and most if not all of the mortgage will be coming from myself, but given i am dragging her (she is originally from the south) 200 miles North, part of me thinks that this is fair.
Which part would that be exactly?

scratchchin

General Fluff

478 posts

167 months

Wednesday 27th September 2017
quotequote all
Jimbo NW said:
I'd like to add her onto the mortgage / house documents. The equity is mine and most if not all of the mortgage will be coming from myself, but given i am dragging her (she is originally from the south) 200 miles North, part of me thinks that this is fair.
I've quoted this because it's the bit that some here will ignore. As you say, she is contributing by moving with you and if she is paying the bills then she is also indirectly contributing to the mortgage. I think you're right to want her to benefit from that.

mgv8

1,657 posts

301 months

Wednesday 27th September 2017
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General Fluff said:
I've quoted this because it's the bit that some here will ignore. As you say, she is contributing by moving with you and if she is paying the bills then she is also indirectly contributing to the mortgage. I think you're right to want her to benefit from that.
This is correct, I think sorting out before moving is is good. I would look at protecting my down payment as a % of the overall value.

Jimbo NW

Original Poster:

828 posts

207 months

Wednesday 27th September 2017
quotequote all
mgv8 said:
General Fluff said:
I've quoted this because it's the bit that some here will ignore. As you say, she is contributing by moving with you and if she is paying the bills then she is also indirectly contributing to the mortgage. I think you're right to want her to benefit from that.
This is correct, I think sorting out before moving is is good. I would look at protecting my down payment as a % of the overall value.
Thanks both, i was expecting that bit to go over heads!

I'm trying to figure out what is a fair % as i'll be paying most, anything less than 5% seems shocking but still equates to over £20k which is more than she would ever put in.
Hard world trying to keep everyone happy!

S11Steve

6,389 posts

214 months

Wednesday 27th September 2017
quotequote all
Me and my non-married other half have a similar arrangement - we needed the equity from her house, and my earnings to afford our current house. Her equity is ring-fenced via a deed of trust, so if we do split and sell, she will get her equity back, and everything subsequent will be split equally between us.

We've both been burned in the past, and this was the most secure way for both of us.

Similarly, you may need to consider how any life cover policies are structured to ensure neither of you are left wanting in the event that one of you dies. Morbid, but necessary I'm afraid.

Chainsaw Rebuild

2,138 posts

132 months

Wednesday 27th September 2017
quotequote all
I'm not a solicitor but I would think that renting to her would be a good idea, else you are just giving away part of your house if you split up? If you marry her eventually, it would become moot anyway.

toon10

7,138 posts

187 months

Wednesday 27th September 2017
quotequote all
mjb1 said:
You want a declaration/deed of trust drawing up. Your conveyancer should be able to do this, for a fairly small fee.
This. I got massively burned in the past and my current partner and I both sold our properties to buy a house together. It's in both our names and she contributes almost 50% to the bills and mortgage. We got one of these drawn up just to protect the equity put in. I put down about 85% of the deposit while she the remainder. If the worst happens then we sell up, get our original steak back and then divide any profit on top 50:50. We both agreed that was the fairest way.

Don't listen to anyone that trots out "romance is dead", "if you don't trust her why move in together", etc. Even the most in love couples can fall out of love or feel differently over time.