Cohabitation agreements govern a variety of issues. In general, they determine how assets are dealt with during the relationship and what happens should the relationship break down.

Usually, their primary purpose is to set out the parties’ individual interests in the family home and other property that they own. They can also cover financial obligations during the relationship; for example, who is responsible for living expenses and debts.

If one of you works and the other stays at home this can be reflected in your agreement providing some form of maintenance should your relationship break down. There is, however, no legal obligation to include such a provision. It is advisable to avoid including behavioural arrangements in the agreement as this may affect the enforceability of the agreement.