If we "bought together" would I actually have any rights to the property?

[BekahB]

DP and I are considering buying a house together later in the year. I say "buying together" but I'm not actually earning yet, I'm still a student so the mortgage would be his and the deposit (over £20k) is also all his. I'm trying to save up as much as I can to contribute but it won't top £2k.

What I'm wondering is, say we move into what will essentially be HIS house - if we split do I have any rights to

a) the property
b) the money (say I do add £2k onto the deposit) I pay towards the house
c) Can he kick me out at any time?

Can my name be on the mortgage if I'm not earning and we're not married?

The short answers are:

a)No
b)Possibly
c)Yes

It's actually a bit more complicated than that, but I strongly recommend that you enter into a trust deed which will at least recognise your initial contribution and will deal with how the house would be dealt with in the event that you split at a later date, and by then have financially contributed.

If you don't do a trust deed you may end up having to issue proceedings for a declaration that you have an interest, and eventually an order for sale.

If you have children, you may be able to get a Schedule 1 order under the Children Act for a temporary right to occupy.

But if I were you I would suggest that you either buy in joint names or if that isn't possible, at least do a trust deed.

You can still be a joint owner even if you don't have an income, thousands of SAHMs are!

Do you have children together, OP?