My husband’s ex partner (never married, two children) still lives in the home they bought together. My DH has spent thousands on solicitors trying to either buy her share or have her buy him out. This has gone on for 8 years since she kicked him out because she was having an affair. She’s now married and her and her husband definitely have the means to buy him out but clearly have no intention of doing so (unless for far less than half the market value). Whilst they were together she never worked so my DH paid the mortgage. She has paid the mortgage since he moved out but it remains in joint names. This has had implications for us when we bought a house together - difficulty getting a mortgage and having to pay double stamp duty as it’s considered a second home. As they were never married, there’s no ‘divorce settlement’ to be agreed so there is nothing in writing and she won’t agree to anything. The youngest child turns 18 in 4 years and then we will apply to the courts to force the sale of the house and split the equity. Has anyone been in a similar situation? It’s so frustrating because we have a huge mortgage (so that his and our kids can all have their own bedroom) and he has a lot of money tied up in his old house. Obviously we’d rather have the money now but we can cope with waiting until the DSC turn 18 if we’ll end up with a fair share (ideally half). Solicitors advice varies but we’ve been told because it’s held in joint names,without a separate deed of trust, my DH should be entitled to half and also that we are entitled to ask them for rent (which we don’t). Also, every time his ex and her husband carry out repairs or update the property, they email to say what work has been done and the cost (presumably so they can ask for reimbursement when the property is finally split). Any advice/people been in similar situations would be appreciated.