Would you add partner to mortgage after 5 years?

[Careermummy]

Me and my partner got together during Covid so he moved in very quickly because of lockdowns. I own my own house and he was renting a room when we got together so it made sense to move into mine. It's 5 years on and we're still in the same position. He doesn't have the funds to pay a large contribution into the house. We had a turbulent first few years
but mellowed in the last few but we do still row occasionally (never over anything serious). I do my best to make him feel it's his home like decorating it how he wants etc but he says it's still my house at the end of the day. Should I be adding him to the mortgage at this point? I would absolutely be getting a solicitors contract if I did to state %s owned and that I have the option to buy him out if we do break up. To be honest I don't even know what % he would own if he's not made a significant contribution but I can worry about that later. Thanks x

No ! Definitely not and the fact that he’s bringing it up shows that he is invested in the house as much as or maybe more than the relationship .

You need to protect yourself .

No way. You need to protect yourself and make sure if you ever break up he can make no claim.

I think you need to look at the overall contribution he makes financially and take it from there.

Do you plan to marry ?

How much does he earn compared to you?
What's his career path, how old is he etc etc?

Is he paying 'rent' now towards the mortgage? Does he pay 50-50 bills?

If he is classed as a joint owner, you will have to get a contract drawn up called Tenants in Common. This means you will own £X % and he will own whatever he contributes if the house was sold.

Why are you asking now? Has he asked?
He's in a very insecure position as you could ask him to leave at any time .

What's the long term plan?

I don't see where he's bringing it up.
OP says he says it's still her house (even if she decorates it according to his preferences) so he's just stating the facts. He's not asked to be a joint owner.

If you have to ask the question then the answer is no.

No.

No way

So he’s pretty much a cocklodger and you want him on your mortgage??

Seriously don’t even think about it and maybe ask yourself why you’re happy to let him freeload off of you for 5 years

Absolutely not. What do you have to gain from this?

Do you have children? That house may one day be part of their inheritance.

Absolutely not . You’d be very foolish .

NO!

OP ignore the bonkers responses
there are lots of ways to protect your assets whilst still putting him on the mortgage
see a solicitor and they will advise you propeely

i I am on our mortgage but have no claim to DPs proportion of our home
we are not married

Nope especially not in a turbulent relationship! If he wants security why doesn’t he use the money he saves by living with you and buy something as an investment?

No. Not unless you are planning on getting married ( and then wait until after the wedding), and don't get married if the relationship is rocky 5 years in

No OP, not a good idea

No absolutely not. Don’t do it. I’ve seen so many horror stories and indeed a friend who lost her mortgage free home because she made that mistake and he dumped her and said he wanted “his half” so took her to court and got it. She’s now stuck renting in her 60’s. Absolutely do not do it.

Absolutely not

I'm assuming you have kids from your username. So the answer is a definite NO!

If he wants to own a house there are other ways to do it than piggyback your hard work and financial security.

Fuck no

Absolutely not.

No.
And an even bigger NO if you have kids.

No

OP, are you mad? You say, “We had a turbulent first few years” - this does not sound like living happily ever after. You also say, “He doesn't have the funds to pay a large contribution into the house.”. So in essence, he is living with you rent free - I’d have thought that was quite enough. You need to take care of your own best interests - and signing away half of your house is most definitely not that.

You have children? Then absolutely not. And I’d be rethinking my relationship if a man asked this of me. If he wanted to buy a percentage, then maybe but for zero contribution? Why would you gift this to him?

Is he contributing towards the mortgage at all? You say he hasn't the funds toc contribute large amount - but is he paying anything?

As you are still occasionally rowing I don't think anyone can predict what will happen with your relationship long term. Don't get me wrong - you may get over the rows and keep together until your both old and grey - but there is no surety of that at the moment.

I'd keep him off the mortgage - but with that - I wouldn't expect him to then contribute anything towards it. (he should still pay his way with utilities and other expenses though - just not the house)