Ex-boyfriend want equity in my home

[Lowfat]

I live in WI and I own a home in my name only. My boyfriend has been living with me since I bought the home and now our relationship is over. Before he will leave he wants half of any increase in value since the home was purchased. He was paying rent to me. We had no agreement, nothing in writing. He wants to take me to court. I did serve him paper to evict. Does he have any claim?

[kwicky]

I think he must be taking the p. From what you say there was no agreement and he has contributed nothing towards the mortgage, rates or household expenditure but only paying a nominal rent towards his keep. If you find the expense of a solicitor too much I would advise you to contact the citizens advice bureau who are very helpful in these matters.

[Black Noir]

I agree with kwicky, your boyfriend was no more than a glorified lodger. If his name wasnt on the title deeds, mortgage documents and you had nothing in writing I cant see how he is legally entitled to anything - cheeky to**er.

Sounds like your relationship ended badly so perhaps he is just being vendictive, has he just asked for his supposed half directly or has this come via a Solicitor?

[Ethel]

It's not as simple as that - he can claim he has a BENEFICIAL INTEREST in the home if he has contributed in any way.

This is usually financial but not always - maintaining the home, decorating and so on as if it were his own can count.

You say he paid rent - he may say he contributed to the mortgage. Did he have a rent book?

This is from the Shelter website:

I am not a sole or joint owner but feel I have contributed towards the home

If you've made contributions to the home, you can apply to establish a beneficial interest, which will take these contributions into account. Establishing a beneficial interest could allow you to get the right to live in the home, to prevent the sale of a home or get a financial share if the home is sold. If you want to apply to establish your beneficial interest you will have to go to court.

So without knowing all the details, he may have a claim.

[Black Noir]

Bloody hell Ethel thats scary isnt it !!!

Go get some advice Lowfat

[cascarelli]

You say he was paying rent to you and you served him notice to evict him? Was this rent stipulated anywhere or could he assume that he was paying towards the mortgage? What notice did you give him to evict him, on what grounds? Do you have any record of his rent payments to you?

[kwicky]

From what Ethel said he is to be treated as a sitting tenant and cannot be evicted. His legal right to his share in the property cannot be justified can it, else the law's an ass?

[Markandshez]

Fantastic if he does have a claim - sorry Ethel, but now you know what men have been going through for donkeys years !