7

My partner and I are going through an acrimonious separation. I was forced out of our jointly owned house but am about to return until such time as we can sell it. He wanted to buy me out but has been so vile that I've decided not allow him. My concern is that while we are co-habiting the house, I will be subject to visits from his family who were pivotal in the breakdown of our relationship. Can I block their access?

Improve this question
3
  • 6
    Beware that you sound like you're trying to cut your nose off to spite your face.
    – Loren Pechtel
    Commented Dec 25, 2018 at 3:52
  • I offered him the opportunity to see if he could buy me out. He then got two way too low valuations done in my absence which would’ve seen me about £20k out of pocket.
    – Deborah Cameron
    Commented Dec 25, 2018 at 6:05
  • 3
    Since he''d be buying you out, it's your job to get the valuation. As things a now, you're simply throwing rocks at his valuation. As well you might, since he has a conflict of interest. When it's entirely your people working for you, then you can believe it.
    – Harper - Reinstate Monica
    Commented Dec 25, 2018 at 9:30

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
13

Joint tenancy means that you both have equal (full) rights to the entire property, so just as you don't his permission to live there or to invite guests, he doesn't either. Unless they threaten you in some way (and you get a court order barring them from entering), there is no legal means to deprive an owner of their property rights, while they are still an owner.

Improve this answer
10
  • 2
    Why does the right to invite guests trump the right(?) to keep people off your property?
    – pipe
    Commented Dec 25, 2018 at 0:51
  • 8
    @pipe: you forego that right when you entered a joint-ownership situation.
    – whatsisname
    Commented Dec 25, 2018 at 3:39
  • 2
    @pipe because in many states, if they allowed one owner to unilaterally eject people it would cause a grey area with trespassing laws, and by extension open up a huge can of worms when it comes to defense of the home.
    – Logarr
    Commented Dec 25, 2018 at 4:37
  • 3
    @DeborahCameron If they are your belongings and not shared belongings, you can move them to a safe place before that happens. You'll have to find such a place eventually, your current situation isn't going to hold by the sound of it.
    – Mast
    Commented Dec 25, 2018 at 11:54
  • 2
    If both people have "equal full rights", in the current acrimonious situation, what would be the legal position if for example the OP moved out and requested the utility companies to cut off all supplies, and paid any fees involved themselves? Could the other party compel the OP to pay part or all of the cost of reconnection and be jointly liable for any future bills?
    – alephzero
    Commented Dec 25, 2018 at 13:28

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .