Housing need - adult children still at home

I am four years into an acrimonious divorce and now realise why my stbx has dragged his heels. He currently lives in a property (1 bed flat) bought & paid for monthly by me in the early stages of proceedings and lives rent free with his new partner. I occupy the FMH (mortgage paid by ex but payment is a third of the one bed flat I pay for) with my three children, the eldest has started full time employment and is 20 but does not earn enough to move out, nor does she want to. The other two are both in full time education and are 18 & 17. Both intend to go to uni.
Does anyone have any idea how the court will see our housing needs? Father sees children infrequently for an occasional meal.
Will the children be classed as still having a housing need as my stbx seems to think there is no responsibility to house or care for a child beyond their 18th birthday! he thinks he has a housing need of a 2 bed flat ''in case his children want to stay with him'' (which will never happen as they dislike his new gf). Anyone have experience of how the court view grown up children?

Divorce settlements are based on the status quo. Dependent children under 18 are the priority but over 18s in education or training aren''t irrelevant. It''s reasonable for young students to be provided with a base whilst studying for their first degree even if they stay elsewhere during term time. However once children start work they are able to pay something for accomodation

Thanks Fiona. Is the court likely to agree he has a need for a 2 bedroom property given his lack of interest in his children for the last few years?

I think it is unlikely if there is no track record of them staying with him.

If you have a larger share of the cash assets, this may need to be balanced against a smaller share of any pension pot and no maintenance.

The overall circumstances are important. In not too many years both of you will need just one bedroom homes. Depending on the value of any assets (including pensions), respective incomes and ages one option may be to defer selling the former matrimonial home until then

I think given the recent coverage in newspapers stating children rarely are able to afford leaving home until the age of 30 I hope the judge will make a reasonable judgement. We have four properties but it is complex - partly to do with the fact that he has been afforded free accommodation for the last 4 years - i pay the mortgage which is 3 times the amount he pays for the FMH!

A court will consider children whilst at uni and might defer a sale until then but its unlikely they will consider them long term because they ''might'' not be able to afford to move out.