The ultimate commitment: What couples must know before buying a home

For decades, the "gold standard" of commitment was a ring. Nowadays, many are opting to get on the ladder first, before considering a bigger wedding celebration. What’s important to remember however is that while a wedding is a promise to each other, a mortgage is a legal commitment with your lender or bank. You aren't just responsible for your half of the loan; you are both legally liable for every penny of it. 

So, if you’re planning to make the ultimate commitment this Valentine’s Day, Ryan Etchells, Chief Commercial Officer at Together shares his top four tips for navigating the path to co-ownership:

1. Choose your tenancy with intention
In the eyes of the law, how you own the property is just as important as the property itself. Most couples default to Joint Tenants, where you both own the whole property equally. If the worst happens and one of you passes away, the other automatically inherits the home.

However, for unmarried couples, especially those with unequal deposits, Tenants in Common is often the smarter strategic move. This allows you to own specific, separate shares. It provides the flexibility to reflect your actual financial input and gives you the right to leave your share to someone else in your will, providing a layer of protection that "standard" agreements often miss.

2. Bridge the gap when timing isn’t on your side

Valentine's Day often sparks the "moving in" conversation, but one partner might still be tied to an existing property or a slow-moving sale. This is where Bridging Finance becomes a powerful "relationship saver." Instead of waiting for a chain to complete, which Together’s research finds can take 2 to 6 months for 42% of Brits, a bridge allows you to secure your new home immediately as "cash buyers," giving you the breathing room to sell your previous property at the right price, not a rushed one.

3. Have the credit talk 

When you take out a joint mortgage, you become "financially linked." Your partner’s credit history will now impact yours. Before applying, have a "credit confession." If one partner has a complex income, perhaps they are a self-employed entrepreneur, traditional high-street banks may struggle. As a specialist lender, we look beyond the algorithms to the person. Knowing these things early allows lenders to find a product that fits your actual lives, not just a tick-box.

4. Draft a "Pre-nup for the Property" (Deed of Trust)
It isn’t the most romantic dinner conversation, but a Deed of Trust is an essential piece of financial housekeeping. This legal document outlines exactly what happens to the equity if you decide to sell or if the relationship ends.

Without it, the law typically assumes a 50/50 split, regardless of who paid the deposit or the lion’s share of the renovations. As a specialist lender, we see that the most resilient co-buying arrangements are built on this kind of radical transparency. It’s not about planning for a breakup; it’s about protecting your individual financial futures so you can focus on your life together.