Not sure where to post this, but hoping someone can help.
My sister has recently broken up with her partner of 10 years. The relationship ended quite unexpectedly (my sister thinks the ex has met someone else) and it has resulted in her effectively being made homeless. She is understandably not thinking very logically but I wonder if anyone can advise on her legal position, if any.
She moved into her partner's property soon after they got together and they moved to a bigger property around 7 years ago. Property and mortgage was always in her partner's name as my sister had a poor credit history - though they were looking to add her to both deeds and remortgage as her financial/job situation is now much improved. She has paid a fixed monthly sum towards the mortgage and joint bills throughout the relationship. She also paid 50% towards renovations including a new kitchen and bathroom.
My sister came home from work one day last month and her partner told her the relationship was over, asked her to leave the house for some "time to think" and during this time changed the locks, bagged up some of my sister's belongings into bin liners, dumped them at a neighbours and is now refusing any further contact. Fortunately she is able to stay with our parents at the moment otherwise she would be out on the streets.
My question is whether she is able to claim back any of the money she's been paying into the house over the years and what do they do about joint assets including the pets they own together?