Can my partner force me to sell my share of our house?

[homedelete]

My partner and I jointly own a house and he has decided that he wants me out and wnats to buy me out, BUT the house price has plummeted - unlike the smaller one I'll have to move to. Can he force me to sell my half and how long will this take?

[barry1010]

Yes, he can. He can apply to the court for an Order of Division and Sale and the courts only refuse if there is special reason, such as adaptations to the house to accommodate serious disability, or if there are children to be considered.
It shouldn't take long at all, but as there are costs involved it really is to be avoided if possible.

[homedelete]

Thanks very much for your answer - even though it wasn't what I wanted to hear.
I just had another thought - is there anyway I can avoid him msking me sell my half to him (which is what he wants) i.e. could I insist we sell to a third party as I don't want him staying here (I cannot afford to buy him out, whereas he can)?

[Beanmistriss]

Surely that would be a bit spiteful? If you get your money either way what diffirence does it make to you who you sell it too?

[Mrs_Pegasus]

I was in a similar position some years back but was told by a solicitor that it is not as easy as going to court and getting a judge to force a sale. Its a long process and expensive.

If you cant afford to take the house on then why are you wanting to make it difficult for him to buy it? Move on, let him have the house but get the market rate for it. Why would the house you wish to move into be bucking the trend of the country and not plummeting in price??????

[buildersmate]

You obviously know your local house price market better than can be guessed on here. But I'm surprised at your assertion that houses towards the lower price end have not dropped in %age terms as much as bigger houses. The reverse is true in most parts of the country.