Legal rights over joing ownership of house.

[cheries]

Hello there. My husband has decided that he no longer wants me to live in our house after we had an argument about him not working and he changed the locks whilst I was at work. I tried to get in last night and couldn't gain entry. The house is in joint names on the land registry documents and so is the mortgage. I pay him �500 per month towards the cost of the bills as I earn a secretary's wage. He has worked in Iraq for 4 years and earned in excess of �5500 per month, so has always contributed more to the cost of running the house. He now will not go back to Iraq (understandably) but is insisting on borrowing more money to keep the house paid for. He refuses to get an ordinary job. I disagreed with this idea and he has effectively thrown me out. I am staying with my parents for the moment, but am worried that this will jeopardise any further decisions, as I am effectively out of the way now. He is talking about moving one of his Army friends in next week as a guardian of the house. I should mention that I'm off to see a solicitor this lunchtime, but if any of you could give me some advice (or even just some encouragement!) that would be really great!

[CheekyChops]

Can't you break in? You can't get done for breaking into your own house so don't worry about that.

[cheries]

I think I'm going to have to try that tonight Cheeky!

[happyjo]

Hi

He will not be able to secure a loan against the house without your permission as the title to the house has your name on it. If he is not earning any money it will be doubtful he will get a loan anyway.

If this split is permanent, and there are no children involved he will have to sell the house or remortage and buy you out.
The courts will determine who gets what share, depending on contributions over the yrs

I am sure the solicitor will give you sound advice...

Let us know how it goes!!

Jo

[themas]

You are a joint owner. He cannot legally keep you out of the property until/unless he gets a Court order to do so.

However, if you fear he might become violent it would not be a good idea to try to break in.

Is he perhaps having a mental breakdown from Iraq stress? The talk of a guardian for the house (when he is not working & is presumably there most of the time himself) sounds rather paranoid.