Unmarried couples warn of mortgages danger

Date:Monday 21st June 2010
Author: Susanna Kavka

Unmarried couples could lose out if they buy a home together, after a court ruled a man is entitled to a share of the value of a property despite not paying the mortgage.

Despite putting up £6,000 deposit for her home in 1985 and covering the mortgage repayments since then, Patricia Jones was told her ex-boyfriend Leonard Kernott, who left her 17 years ago, was entitled to a share of the house, reports the Guardian.

Lord Justice Wall said: "This is a cautionary tale which all unmarried couples who are contemplating the purchase of a residential property as their home and all solicitors who advise them should study."

Ms Jones had not claimed through the Child Support Agency despite Mr Kernott failing to pay any maintenance for the pair's two children and Mr Kernott was able to buy his own property after cashing in on a life insurance policy which the pair split.

Last week, figures from the Council of Mortgage Lenders revealed that mortgage lending increased during May 2010.