Does anyone know about 'common law' rights over property...

[DANCESwithHughJackman]

do they exist? DB's girlfriend has lived with him for about 3 years. She does not pay anything towards the mortgage(and is not named on it) and pays a nominal amount towards food - £20 ish/month etc. Does she have any claims over the house if they split up? I have been hearing rumblings about a new law on this.

No such thing as a common law partner. I think she could only have a claim on the house if she could demonstrate that she has contributed financially/and or paid for improvements. This is where a lot of unmarried women can come unstuck.

I have also heard remours of change of law to give unmarried partners more rights on situations where they have been long-term partners but there is no change as yet.

I'm not a lawyer and may be not up-to-date.

Are you in England or Scotland? I think common-law partners have rights in Scotland.

checkout this document