Cohabitation Agreement

This Cohabitation Agreement is made as a deed between of and of (together 'the partners').

1. BACKGROUND

The partners live together as a couple and are neither married to each other nor in a civil partnership. They have begun living together on or around .

2. UNDERSTANDING

The partners understand that there is no such thing as common law marriage and that living together does not by itself give either of them the financial rights of a married couple. Each partner has been advised to take independent legal advice and to give full and honest disclosure of their finances, and enters into this agreement freely.

3. THE HOME

The partners own their home at together.

4. SHARES IN THE HOME

The partners intend to own the home, and share any increase in its value, equally.

5. INTEREST IN THE HOME

The partner who does not own the home has no financial interest in it, and it remains the owner's property.

6. OUTGOINGS

The partners will share the rent or mortgage and household bills equally.

7. BANK ACCOUNTS

The partners will keep separate bank accounts only. Each partner owns the money in their own account.

8. PERSONAL PROPERTY

Belongings that a partner brought into the relationship or bought individually remain that partner's property. Belongings bought jointly are owned jointly.

9. DEBTS

Each partner is responsible for their own debts. Debts taken on jointly remain the responsibility of both partners to the lender.

10. IF THE PARTNERS SEPARATE

If the partners separate, the home will be sold and the net proceeds divided according to the shares set out above.

11. NOTICE TO LEAVE

On separation, the partner required to leave the home will be given to move out.

12. CHILDREN

The partners record their intentions about their children as follows: . They understand that a court keeps the final say on arrangements for, and financial support of, any children, and that this agreement cannot bind the court on those matters.

13. PROVISION ON DEATH

The partners acknowledge that they do not automatically inherit from one another and each intends to make a will to provide for the other.

14. GENERAL

This agreement sets out the partners' intentions and is intended to be legally binding so far as the law allows. If any part cannot be enforced, the rest continues to apply. This agreement is governed by the law of England and Wales.

15. EXECUTION

This document is executed and delivered as a deed.

16. SIGNED AS A DEED BY THE FIRST PARTNER

Signed by :

Name:

Date:

17. WITNESS TO THE FIRST PARTNER

In the presence of the following witness:

Witness signature, name and address

18. SIGNED AS A DEED BY THE SECOND PARTNER

Signed by :

Name:

Date:

19. WITNESS TO THE SECOND PARTNER

In the presence of the following witness:

Witness signature, name and address

20. NOTE ON WITNESSING

Each witness should be aged 18 or over and independent of the partners.