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Your property rights in a civil partnership
By: Charlotte Collins
Anthony Gold can hekp on property issues
Anthony Gold can hekp on property issues
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The much-celebrated introduction of the Civil Partnership Act 2004 provided legal recognition of same-sex relationships and removed discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation.
By registering a relationship the act meant that same-sex couples could enjoy the same civil rights and share the same responsibilities as their straight counterparts.
Here housing law specialist Charlotte Collins from Anthony Gold solicitors take a look at the effects this has on your property rights.
We all read the horrific stories of older gays being thrown out of their life-long homes when a partner died. Now you have the legal right to succeed to a tenancy on death of a partner. During life you may assign a secure tenancy to your civil partners and if you are co-habiting you qualify after 12 months of living together.
Not all relationships last a lifetime and the new laws provide protection in the event of your relationship coming to an end. You have the right to occupy the civil partnership home for a short period after your dissolution even if you are not the legal owner or tenant.
Sometimes events can take a nasty turn and if you are threatened with violence, intimidated, harassed or physically abused you can apply for a non-molestation order. This prevents your civil partner from molesting you or disposing of your personal goods. You can also now apply for an occupation order to allow you to remain in your home and exclude your former partner should you have suffered abuse.
A civil partnership is much more than an expression of your love; it confers legal rights and responsibilities onto you and you should always seek advice from a solicitor or organisation such as the Citizens’ Advice Bureau.
The housing and property litigation team at Anthony Gold can advise on all housing and tenancy issues relating to civil partnership. Call free on 0800 389 2374 or go to anthonygold.co.uk
