Cohabitation agreement (England & Wales)
This cohabitation agreement protects the interests of an unmarried couple who live together (or plan to) in a home that they rent or which is owned by either or both of them.
This agreement regulates the financial interests of the couple during the relationship and, should it come to an end, deal with issues such as what happens to joint assets, the mutual home and joint bank accounts.
There is no formal legislation making a cohabitation agreement legally enforceable, but as long as it complies with the basic requirements of contract law, a court should recognise it. Therefore, each member of the couple is advised to take independent legal advice before signing this agreement.