Why do I need a Cohabitation Agreement?

For those looking to buy a home with their partner the opportunity of Stamp Duty being suspended for homes up to £500,000 until 31st March 2021 means that there are a really good range of properties on the market to choose from at the moment.

These days monies for a house purchase often come from many different sources, including savings both individual and joint, contributions from family members, as well as a mortgage. As a result the reality is that there are very different contributions being made when buying a home, and it may be very important recognise and acknowledge that to provide clarification and certainty for the future.

In a simple but comprehensive Cohabitation Agreement there can be a record the financial contributions made, and so define the property interests that you may have in your home, be that at a fixed percentage, a fixed amount with a shared percentage thereafter, or in whatever way you agree is appropriate. You can also set out how finances are to be managed, for example what payment each of you will towards make any mortgage, the utilities or other household costs. You can even make it clear how each of you are to be responsible for credit card and car loan debts.

The benefit of doing this is that each of you then knows where you stand; what expectations you have of each other and yourselves, what payments to be made by whom, and what property interests you hold.

If you are considering purchasing a property with your partner and would like to know more about the possibility of a Cohabitation Agreement please contact the Family Team.