Five years ago I bought the house I am living in with my ex husband taking out a joint mortgage. A year later he moved out (at my request due to his increasing emotionally abusive behaviour).
For the last four years I have been living in the house and paying the mortgage although obviously the house is in both of our names. I can afford the mortgage and I like the house and the area. However more and more things are needing repairing on the house which I cannot afford as I have no spare money. Along with this I have built up debt on credit cards and an over draft.
I have not been able to get a divorce as the house situation has not been resolved.
I know the mortgage company would not put it in just my name and even if they would, I couldn't afford to buy him out (and would think why should I when he has paid nothing towards the mortgage or repairs).
I am just at a loss for what to do to move on with my life-sell the house and use the profit to pay off debts and invest into starting up my own business (which I am in the early stages of planning out) or try and get some agreement in place legally keeping him on the mortgage but with me living in the house.
If I did make a profit on the equity, would this affect my entitlement to benefits such as tax credits and housing benefit?
Thanks for any help