Cohabitation agreement

Have my partner and I provided for each other if we are not married?

If you are not married but have a cohabiting partner, you will both take out your personal belongings in connection with the discontinuation of the cohabitation. This means that no matter how long you have lived with your partner, you are not entitled to take out any part of his/her property. Likewise, you will not have to hand over any property to your partner.

Therefore, if you are buying any assets with your partner, e.g. purchase of real property, it is a good idea to organise the drafting of a cohabitation agreement at the same time.

What is a cohabitation agreement?

The cohabitation agreement provides a clear framework of rules for you in relation to the joint property and as to how you are to handle potential disputes. The agreement enhances the safety for the financial investment put into the property, and it may also allow for variations in the event your investments differ in size.  

A cohabitation agreement may be used for detached houses, terraced houses, owner-occupied flats, shared ownership properties, and holiday houses. We recommend a cohabitation agreement in situations where a real property is owned by unmarried cohabitants, friends, or family