Can a girlfriend renting claim part of your house?

[022425421]

My brothers & his girlfriend have just paid a deposit on a house being built. She has now turned around and said she doesn't want to be tied down to the house so he has to buy it on his own. She just wants to rent from him.

Even if he draws up a tennacy agreement as a live in girlfriend in the future could she claim half or part of the house, if she decided to leave, as she would be paying a share of bills etc?

[vinovin]

when she leaves she takes what she brought and if that was nothing then nothing is what she takes away and as for paying half the gas bill & electric etc she used half didn't she? these are not part of the rent..........vinovin

[Mrs_Pegasus]

If his name is on the mortgage and the deeds and he has a tenancy agreement then she cant take the house with her. However, I would be concerned about her long term aims, its rather bizarre that she could end up paying the same in rent as she would in mortgage and some may say it shows a lack of commitment on her part. I would tell your brother to watch his back. I would also advise paying a little more and getting a solicitor to draw up the agreement with her putting in writing her reasons for not wanting to go into the 'commitment'.