The Joint tenant house

My multiple cheating ex moved out last wk (never married, 13 yrs, 2 little ones) into a nice rented house not far away.

She has stated she will continue to pay half the mtge on our FMH. Not sure yet about the bills and doubt she will contribute to those.

Since she has gone I have also moved out into my mums for a while as I can''t face being in the FMH alone right now.

I will continue to pay half of bills and mtge.

She took all the sentimental things she wanted and I have taken the remainder simply to hold onto something but would still have wnated many of the things she took without discussion.

Does anyone have any advice on this situation now we have both moved out. And thoughts on how things might develop from your own experiences.

I assume as we are both equally liable as we are joint tenants but my obvoius main worry is she will stop paying towards the mtge and I''ll have to foot the whole thing.

If neither of you wants or can afford to keep the house, then it makes sense to sell it. Owning a house with an ex partner is not a good idea. Do not keep it as an investment or "until the market improves". Since you are unmarried joint owners, you will get 50% of the proceeds each.

The mortgage, you are not equally liable. Well you are, but I don''t think in the way you mean. You are "jointly and severally" liable. That does not mean you are responsible for 50% each... it means you are BOTH liable for the WHOLE amount. If the mortgage does not get paid then the lender can choose to chase EITHER one of you, at their discression. If they choose to chase you, then telling them "but I paid my half, chase her for her half" will not work, since you are both liable for the whole amount. Not half each.

This is why it''s a good idea to sell the house!!!


As for belongings, it''s a civil matter. If you can''t get her to give them to you voluntarily (or swap for some of the things you have, or pay her for them etc) then you will have to take it to court. And taking it to court is probably not a good idea. House contents are only valued at second-hand value, and the cost of taking it to court will most likely be greater than the value of the items.