Buying a house as an unmarried couple comes with extra steps. You don’t have the legal protections that married couples get automatically, so you need to be clear about your plans—before you buy.
Start with the basics. Talk openly about money. How much will each of you contribute to the down payment? Who’s paying the mortgage, and in what split? If one of you is putting in more, will that be reflected in ownership?
You also need to decide how to hold the title. Most unmarried couples choose either joint tenancy or tenants in common. With joint tenancy, you both own the whole property equally. If one of you dies, the other automatically owns the home. With tenants in common, you can each own a different share and pass it to someone else in a will. This matters if your contributions aren’t 50/50.
Make a co-ownership agreement. It’s not just for breakups—it covers what happens if one of you wants to sell, loses a job, or moves out. It can also spell out who pays for repairs or upgrades. You’ll need a lawyer for this, and it’s worth it.
Also think about how the mortgage will be handled. If both of you are on the mortgage and one stops paying, the other is still responsible for the full amount. Your credit is tied together. Make sure you both understand the risk.
Finally, talk through what happens if you break up. It’s not a fun topic, but it’s an important one. Who stays in the home? How do you divide the equity? Having a plan now avoids bigger problems later.
Buying a house together is a big move. If you’re not married, it just takes more planning. The more upfront you are, the smoother things go.
