Can my girlfriend take my house if we break up?

Your girlfriend generally cannot take your house if you break up, provided your name is solely on the deed and mortgage and you were not legally married.

Unmarried partners do not have the same automatic property rights as married spouses. However, ownership rights depend heavily on how the home is titled and any financial agreements you made together.

House Ownership Scenarios

• Sole Ownership (Your Name Only): If you bought the house before the relationship or solely in your name, and her name is not on the deed, she typically has no legal claim to ownership. Living together for a long time does not automatically grant an unmarried partner rights to your property.
• Joint Ownership (Both Names on Deed): If both of your names are on the title or deed, she legally owns a share of the property. If you break up, you must either buy out her share, sell the home and split the proceeds, or ask a court to order a partition sale.
• Financial Contributions and Agreements: If your name is solely on the deed but she contributed significantly to mortgage payments, down payments, or major renovations, she might attempt a legal claim for an "equitable interest" or argue an implied financial partnership existed. These claims are difficult to prove and vary greatly by jurisdiction, but they can lead to costly legal disputes.

Tenant Rights vs. Ownership

Even if she has no ownership claim, she may still have basic tenant rights if she has been living there legally.

• She may require formal written notice (such as 30 days) to vacate the property rather than being forced out instantly.
• She cannot claim equity or a percentage of the home just because she paid for groceries or general household bills, which are usually viewed as rent or shared living expenses.