We're buying together but we're not married. What protects us?
Both names on the deeds. That's usually where people stop.
How you hold the title decides what happens if it ends. It's a one-page decision made at the worst possible moment.
Both names on the deeds is a start, but it's how you own the home that matters. In England and Wales there are two ways. As joint tenants, you both own the whole home equally. As tenants in common, you can own different shares, for example to reflect different deposits.
The difference shows most when something goes wrong. With joint tenants, if one of you dies, the other automatically owns the whole home, whatever a will says. With tenants in common, your share doesn't pass automatically. It goes where your will says.
If you split up, unmarried couples don't have the same legal protections as married couples or civil partners. That's why many couples who put in different amounts also sign a declaration of trust. It records who paid what and how the money is shared if you sell.
You choose how you own the home when you buy, through your conveyancer. You can change it later, and there's no fee to switch between the two types of ownership.
Where this information comes from
Joint tenants have equal rights to the whole property. Tenants in common can own different shares.
Source: GOV.UK, Joint property ownership. Checked 28 October 2026.
With joint tenants, a share passes automatically to the surviving owner. With tenants in common, it doesn't, and can be left in a will.
Source: GOV.UK, Joint property ownership. Checked 28 October 2026.
There's no fee to change between joint tenants and tenants in common.
Source: GOV.UK, Joint property ownership. Checked 28 October 2026.
General information, not advice about your circumstances. Rules and rates change; this page was last checked 28 October 2026. Spotted an error? Tell us.