Many couples who live together assume they have far more rights than they do. The phrase ‘common law wife’ doesn’t exactly help as it implies you have some status – and therefore protection by law – simply because you live together. However, the reality is that you don’t (the law does give some protection to cohabiting couples in Scotland but it's still limited). No one wants to draw up a business contract at the start of a new phase in a romantic relationship but it’s worth – at the very least - thinking about how living together could affect your finances.

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One question that’s come up several times recently in the ask the experts section is ‘will my boyfriend have a claim on my flat if he moves in with me?’. Couples currently have very few rights and one partner generally doesn’t acquire the right to a share in the other’s property purely because they live together. However, it can be a bit of a grey area so it’s probably better to protect yourself with a written agreement.

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While many couples end up owning property together, others choose to rent for life. And even couples who plan to buy their own house or flat may start off living together in a rented property. But what are your rights if you rent as a couple? And what happens if you split up? Can you stay on in the property? If you’re married you have rights when it comes to a home you share, but if you live together it's not so clear.

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