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Your Housing Rights

Orla had no idea she was in such a vulnerable position

Don't get caught out!

It may not be romantic but it is vital that you know your rights when it comes to your housing. Whether you're thinking of moving in or have already lived with your partner for years, make sure you know where you stand!

Our Housing Guide shows you exactly what rights you have no matter what your situation, and what you can do to maximise them and ensure your partner (and children if you have any) will still have a roof over their head if anything happens to you.

Click here to download our Housing guide (257 KB).

Lettings1 new"I'd been with my partner Gareth for 9 years when he sat me down and told me it was over. He said his 'feelings had changed'. Later that evening, he told me that he understood it would take a couple of weeks, but that I should start looking for a flat right away.
I was dumbfounded - less than 3 hours earlier he'd dumped me, and now he was making me homeless too! I told him that he couldn't do that!
I had as much right to be there as he did. We'd been living together for years. I thought that meant I was his common-law wife and I had rights. He couldn't just kick me out! But I was wrong.

When we moved in we had put the tenancy in Gareth's name. The stupid thing is it was my suggestion, someone at work had told me it was easier if the tenancy was in one name. But apparently that means that he has the right to stay and I have to go. It doesn't matter that we've lived together for 9 years, it counts for nothing!"

Are you moving in with your partner to save on rent/mortgage payments because of the credit crunch?
If you are, we'd love you to get in touch with us. Please use the comment form at the bottom of the page.

April 2008

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Use the Community Legal Advice website to find an adviser or solicitor in your area.
Go to www.communitylegaladvice.org.uk or find other sources of help.

Married or not - One Plus One

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Married or not looks at the differences between marriage and cohabitation, what your rights are, and how to raise some of the trickier issues with your partner.

One Plus One are partners in the LivingTogether project,

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