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Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Moving into partner's house

16 replies

WhaatNext · 22/04/2026 07:43

I'm moving into my partner's house and looking for advice. We are both in our 60s. He has lived there many years and we've discussed buying a property together. We'd like to live in his house and see how it goes. I am selling my house and want to ensure I am protected financially should things not work out (I have no reason to think they won't). We will have a joint account for food, utilities etc but keep our own accounts for personal spending. We are both mortgage free and I won't be paying 'rent'. We will share household chores equally. I have adult children all financially independent, he has none.

OP posts:
UpDownAllAround1 · 22/04/2026 08:58

Really only becomes an issue if you marry

AttilaTheMeerkat · 22/04/2026 09:09

Reconsider the notion of selling your own property.

Hope for the best but prepare for the worst.

Would he really want to move given he has lived in his property for many years?. As for you both doing equal share of the chores you’ll probably end up doing more of the housework day to day.

Consider having a cohabitation agreement drawn up by a Solicitor before moving in with him. Unromantic yes but practical for you both.

MagpiePi · 22/04/2026 09:26

I'd keep the proceeds from the sale of your house separate and make a watertight will if you want to leave your assets to your children.

Will you contribute to household maintenance costs or redecoration costs? Who pays if you need a new washing machine or fridge? Will you be moving some of your furniture and household type things in?

I don't see why it wouldn't work out, as long as the shared household chores really are shared and that it doesn't become an unspoken expectation that you will do more because you are living rent free!

It is probably worth getting a cohabitation agreement just so that everything is upfront and agreed.

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 22/04/2026 10:34

Why are you selling your home now?

BridgetJonesV2 · 22/04/2026 10:38

There's no way I'd rent a house out these days with the law 100% on the side of the tenant regardless of their behaviour, so it's sensible to sell. As long as you keep the money out of easy access from your sale, then you have something to use if things don't work out.

Tinmanwalkedpastwindeh · 22/04/2026 14:17

I'd keep your house for a while at least

ByQuaintAzureWasp · 22/04/2026 15:14

What happens if you buy together and one of you dies. You need to bother be clear what will happen ... protecting assets for your children long term.

mindutopia · 22/04/2026 15:22

I would absolutely not sell your house. Airbnb it if you must or short term let for 6 months. A property is an appreciating investment and that money is better sitting in a property than in a bank account.

rwalker · 22/04/2026 15:26

The only way to protect yourself is to keep your house
definitely don’t rent it out any of your immediate family fancy living there
keep finances separate just pay your way with utilities

category12 · 22/04/2026 16:13

Why are you selling your home and what do you intend to do with the proceeds?

If things went wrong, would you be in a position to buy on your own again?

FinallyHere · 22/04/2026 16:44

One of you moving into the other’s house does not imo tell you everything you need to know about how they will be to share.

on another topic, do you really want to run the risk of consolidating your assets? Why?

PashaMinaMio · 22/04/2026 16:49

Tinmanwalkedpastwindeh · 22/04/2026 14:17

I'd keep your house for a while at least

Speaking from experience, keep your house for a while. See how it goes.
I sold and regretted it hugely.

Dery · 22/04/2026 17:22

Another here who thinks it is premature to sell your house. You need to experience living together for a decent chunk of time before you can be sure this is the right move.

Bananalanacake · 22/04/2026 17:45

If you don't have kids together there's no point in living together, keep your house for yourself.

TwistedWonder · 22/04/2026 19:16

Absolutely do not sell your house. In your position with DC you would be mad to sell up and buy with a man.

If you really want to do this get a water tight will made up before you even think about selling to protect your assets

MeetMeOnTheCorner · 22/04/2026 19:20

All of this financial situation can be addressed in a cohabitation agreement. It doesn’t just protect his house, it protects OP’s savings and assets too. In effect they are, and remain, separate people. They agree not to take assets from each other and spell out what that looks like in practice.

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