What to talk about before buying a house with your partner

couple moving sofa together

Buying a house together is often one of the big stages in many people's marriages, whether it be before or after you tie the knot. It's an exciting time and a great experience to have together, as you find the perfect place to potentially start the rest of your life together.
However, to ensure the process is as smooth as possible, it's best to be as informed and prepared as you can. Whilst it might not be the most romantic dinner chat, it's important to discuss financials and possible challenges you might encounter - the key is to be as open as possible with your partner.
Brian Murphy, head of lending at Mortgage Advice Bureau shares four crucial considerations to talk about with or ask your significant other before taking the leap and buying a home together:

couple painting walls

First things first, what can we realistically afford together?
Research last year found that just 17% of adults in a relationship in the UK regularly discuss finances with their partners, which means some of us could be in the dark as to our other half's money situation. Before beginning your search, or speaking to a mortgage adviser, ensure you are open and honest with each other about how much you can commit towards home ownership. This will make a considerable difference to the kind of home and the area you eventually choose.

Be honest about your financial history.
If you're talking about money and what you can afford, make sure you also discuss your financial history and any red flags there might be. It can be an uncomfortable topic, but it's better to know than get rejected for a mortgage because of a black mark on one of your credit scores – which you hadn't discussed. Things that might go against you include if you've regularly missed payments on any credit agreements or loans or you're still paying off credit cards with high interest.

couple sitting having coffee surrounded by moving boxes

Hypothetically, what would happen if you break up?
Although this isn't the most pleasant, it's worth running through the different financial scenarios if you and your partner ended the relationship. If things go awry, it's good to know where you'll stand financially and what could happen to the home if you decide to separate.

When it comes to it, who will be on the deed and the mortgage? Will you be joint tenants or tenants in common?
There are two options for your agreement – either joint tenants or tenants in common. If you choose to be joint tenants, you will both own an equal share of the property. If one of you dies, your share is passed to the other tenant, and if you take out a mortgage – it's a joint one. Alternatively, tenants in common means that you do not have to have equal shares of the property. For instance, if one of you earns more, you could choose to pay more towards the house and have a greater share. Be sure to chat this one through carefully - there are legal points to consider with both choices, and both have pros and cons to weigh up.

Back to previous page

You may also be interested in

The Alverbank unveils Thursday Wedding Packages

The Alverbank unveils Thursday Wedding Packages

According to wedding specialists at The Alverbank, a coastal wedding venue overlooking the Solent in Gosport, weekday weddings are becoming increasingly popular as couples look to prioritise experiences, value and flexibility. While Saturday weddings remain a classic choice, Thursday celebrations are allowing couples to enjoy many of the same benefits, often with greater venue availability and the opportunity to create a wedding experience that extends into a long weekend with family and friends. "We're seeing couples become much more intentional about how they spend their wedding budget," says Claire Wake, wedding events manager at The Alverbank. "Rather than simply following tradition, many are choosing a Thursday wedding and using the savings to invest in the things that matter most to them."

READ ARTICLE

The A/W 2026 wedding trends: softer tailoring, richer tones and seasonal florals

The A/W 2026 wedding trends: softer tailoring, richer tones and seasonal florals

From chocolate and camel tailoring to dahlias and trailing amaranthus, autumn/winter weddings are embracing richer colours and softer styling. As the autumn/winter wedding season gets underway, couples are moving away from rigid, perfectly matched styling in favour of looks that feel more relaxed, personal and connected to the season. Jess Levick, Assistant Buyer at Suit Direct, shares the key tailoring and styling trends shaping A/W 2026 occasionwear, alongside Lucy Hook, Floral Lead at Bloom & Wild, who reveals the flowers, colours and textures set to be popular for bouquets and displays this season.

READ ARTICLE

What to do now to get your finances ready for 2027 

What to do now to get your finances ready for 2027 

Aileen Robertson, Tesco Bank's Head of Savings, has shared ways soon-to-be-wedded couples and newlyweds can build healthy savings habits and step into 2027 feeling more confident about their shared futures! Aileen Robertson, Head of Savings at Tesco Bank, comments: "The start of a new year often feels like the perfect opportunity for a fresh start, with people embracing resolutions and looking to turn over a new leaf. But creating new habits can take time as people settle back into their routines, and sometimes those good intentions never quite get off the ground. "If you're trying to stay on top of your finances in 2027, taking small steps now can make that journey much easier. It's important to remember that it's never too late, or too early, to start working towards your goals. Setting them is the first step, whether they're big or small, so think about what you want your money to do for you. From here you can start to work towards your goals, building good savings habits along the way, and see your money grow over time."

READ ARTICLE

Yankee Candle® launches limited-edition The Traitors collection

Yankee Candle® launches limited-edition The Traitors collection

Fans of the BBC's hit reality show The Traitors can bring a little intrigue into their homes this autumn with a limited-edition candle collection from Yankee Candle. Inspired by the BAFTA-winning series, the new collection features two Signature Large Jar Candles: Faithful and Traitor. Each fragrance represents a different side of the game, inviting fans to choose their allegiance while settling in for the latest round of suspicion, secrets and unexpected reveals. Faithful is designed to evoke comfort and calm, blending cashmere vanilla and rose with a warm amber base. Its soft, powdery fragrance is ideal for cosy evenings spent analysing clues and debating who can be trusted.

READ ARTICLE

Follow Your Hampshire & Dorset Wedding Magazine on Facebook

VISIT SITE

Follow Your Hampshire & Dorset Wedding Magazine on YouTube

VISIT SITE

Submit your wedding to be featured in Your Hampshire & Dorset Wedding Magazine

VISIT SITE

Follow Your Hampshire & Dorset Wedding Magazine on Instagram

VISIT SITE