Couples living together, who are not married or civil partners, are being urged to set out who owns what in a formal agreement, reports the BBC.

A recent House of Lords ruling has decided for the first time the rights of unmarried partners to the home they share if they separate and the judgement could affect up to two million cohabiting couples.

Lawyers say couples should draw up a proper agreement or the value of the home could be shared out very unfairly.

The ruling follows a case brought by Barry Stack who had lived with Dehra Dowden for 27 years:

The couple had four children and owned their current
home jointly, though their previous home had been in Ms Dowden’s sole
name. When they broke up Mr Stack claimed an equal share of the home. Ms Dowden said she had paid for most of it and wanted 65%. The Lords upheld her case.

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