Should my ex partner pay me rent?

After 20 years in an abusive relationship my partner turned violent and threw me out of our home & businesss. This was a year ago and I am now renting a flat and working 6 days a week to pay the bills. I am 61 and have no other form of income.
The home/business is on the market but is a difficult property to sell. My ex partner is living there and paying the bills. We have paid off the mortgage and own the property jointly. He receives pensions and has some savings.
I have asked him (reluctantly) for some financial help with my rent, which is £675 a month. I would consider it fair if he paid half. He says he can't afford it and thinks he would like to stay in the property anyway.
I think he is playing the long game as I have to subsidise my expenses from my savings as my jobs are all low paid. Currently I am transferring £500 a month from my savings and I am thinking that he thinks I will go back when the money runs out or I become too tired to carry on.
My Question is, do I have any legal basis to claim rent from him?

Hello and welcome to Wikivorce.

If you are not married then your former partner has no obligation to financially support you in any way. If the home he is in is jointly joined by you both then you should be looking to have your share of the equity released to you either by him buying you out or by the house being sold to a third party. If he is refusing to co-operate then it may be possible to ask the court for an order to force the sale of the house so you can claim what is rightfully yours. I think Wikivorce offers a financial consultation aimed specifically at those who were in cohabiting relationships, if you call the number at the side of the page one of the advisers will be able to give you more info about the consultation.

It may be worthwhile getting a full benefits check from the CAB, or using using this online "calculator" - www.entitledto.co.uk/benefits-calculator/startcalc.aspx


Leaving an abusive relationship is very difficult and is often challenging; its important that you are able to access the proper support and help that will enable you to come through this; Womens' Aid have a national 24hour number - www.womensaid.org.uk and there will be local domestic violence support agencies in your area who will be able to help.

I totally agree with you Ruby.

I would have thought that as the house is jointly owned and the mortgage paid off then he would owe you some rent from your half of the house he is occupying. I have seen on here that the argument for rent of jointly owned property is negated by the occupier paying the mortgage but here there is no mortgage to be paid.