<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
If You’re Married (or in a civil partnership)<\/h2>\n
You and your partner will both have entitlement to ‘home rights’ if you are living as a married couple or in a civil partnership.<\/p>\n
But, what happens if your ex-partner has asked you to move out? If so, having ‘home rights<\/a>‘ means you do not need to be the owner or be named on the tenancy agreement to stay in the home.<\/p>\n Moving out on a permanent basis would only be necessary if the marriage will end (e.g. by getting a divorce<\/a>) or if there is a dissolution of a civil partnership<\/a>.<\/p>\n Not being married, or not living in a civil partnership, would mean you don’t get home rights. In this case, being a homeowner or a tenant would determine your rights for staying in the property.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n There are several different types of tenancy agreements<\/a> used by landlords. Thus, the actual agreement that you have as tenants will determine what happens to the home if you separate.<\/p>\n Even so, you may not be classed as a tenant if you are a lodger, living with your landlord, or (either):<\/p>\n Note<\/strong>: You can contact the Citizens Advice helpline<\/a> (Monday to Friday: 9am to 5pm) if you are feeling anxious and don’t know what to do next.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n You can get help from several organisations if your partner is making you feel anxious, worried about your personal safety<\/a>, or threatening you.<\/p>\n Important<\/strong>: Always try to speak with someone about your options after breaking up (e.g. a mediator) before trying to agree what to do about the home with your ex-partner.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n In some cases, your local council will be able to help you find your next home if you have already moved out or ended the tenancy.<\/p>\n But, if they think not having anywhere to live is your fault (e.g. you became ‘intentionally homeless’) they may be unable to find a long-term home for you.<\/p>\n Note<\/strong>: It is always best to get expert help (e.g. from Citizens Advice<\/a> or a solicitor) before ending a tenancy or moving out of a matrimonial home.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Note<\/strong>: Another section explains how to end a tenancy agreement<\/a> if you are renting from a private landlord and they agree to the early termination.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n You need to determine what kind of tenancy you have, and who’s name is on it, if only one of the partners wants to leave. You can use the ‘Tenancy Rights Checker<\/a>‘ if you are unsure.<\/p>\n The agreement that you have with your landlord should be either a ‘fixed term contract’ (running for a set period of time), or a ‘rolling contract’ (with no set period or end date).<\/p>\n Being ‘joint tenants’ (both named as tenants) means each of the partners will have the same rights. But, you will have different rights if one is named as an ‘occupant’.<\/p>\n This part is important<\/strong>:<\/p>\n What happens if your ex-partner decides to move out? If so, they would be able to move back in to the home at any point – providing their name remains on the contract as a tenant.<\/p>\n But, moving out means you would still have some responsibility for paying rent (e.g. as a named tenant). Often, couples will make other arrangements for covering any remaining rental payments after they break up.<\/p>\n It is also important to update the tenancy if any of the partners leave the home on a permanent basis. But, the process for updating a tenancy agreement<\/a> will depend on which type you have, the names on it, and the general discretion of your landlord.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n If you own the home, and you decide to end the relationship with your partner, you have the right to stay in the property, if you (any):<\/p>\n What if both of you are named on the legal deed? If so, both partners would own the home together. Moreover, both of you would need to decide what happens to your home – according to the housing rules in the United Kingdom<\/a>.<\/p>\n Note<\/strong>: Another section explains more about joint property ownership<\/a> and how it might affect your share of the dwelling.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n In most cases, the process of selling your home<\/a> is easier when you both want to move out. Furthermore, it gives both partners an opportunity to share the equity (any profits made after the sale).<\/p>\n It is not uncommon for one partner to buy the ex-partner’s share (if they want to stay). Or, you might decide to sell your share to your ex-partner if you choose to move out.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Mediation is a method that uses an ‘impartial’ third party to help couples reach an agreement after they decide to break up.<\/p>\n Even so, the courts can also intervene when married couples divorce or civil partners end the relationship. Thus, they can make decisions about dividing up money and belongings when you separate<\/a>.<\/p>\n You can still ask the court to decide what happens to your home even if you are not married. As a rule, the court would divide the value of the property according to the shares owned.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n In some cases, a court can delay the sale of a home until the youngest child reaches the age of eighteen (18). It can be a complex process so you should seek legal help<\/a> before considering this option.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Registering your ‘home rights’ (if you are married or in a civil partnership<\/a>) is good policy during the breakup of a relationship because you would know if:<\/p>\n As a rule, you would need to have some proof of a ‘beneficial interest’ to secure your right to the home if you are not married or living in a civil partnership.<\/p>\n Usually, having a ‘beneficial interest’ would mean you made some sort of financial contribution to the upkeep of the property (e.g. helped to pay the mortgage).<\/p>\n Important<\/strong>: You would need to show a court judge how you contributed towards the general upkeep. Contact your nearest Citizens Advice office<\/a> for more information about this somewhat complicated procedure.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n
\nIf You are Renting a Property<\/h5>\n
\n
Is Your Partner Making You Feel Threatened?<\/h5>\n
\n
\nRules for Being ‘Intentionally Homeless’<\/h2>\n
\nSurrendering a Tenancy Agreement<\/h2>\n
![\"Who](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/what-happens-to-your-home-when-you-end-a-relationship.jpg\")
In most cases, it is best to end the tenancy if both of you want to leave the property, by (either):<\/p>\n\n
\nWhat if Only One Person Wants to Move Out?<\/h3>\n
\nIf You Own the Property<\/h5>\n
\n
If Both Names are on the Title Deeds<\/h5>\n
Selling Your Home When You Separate<\/h5>\n
If You Can’t Reach an Agreement about the Home<\/h5>\n
What if You Have Children?<\/h5>\n
\nNot Named on the Title deeds<\/h2>\n
\n
\nRelated Help Guides<\/h4>\n
\n
\n
\n