Inquiry is set up in relation to rights of cohabiting partners

An Inquiry has been set up in relation to the rights of cohabiting partners due to a widespread perception that cohabiting partners have similar or identical rights to those who are married or in a civil partnership. 

The Women and Equalities Committee will be investigating the equalities issues around cohabitation, how cohabitation rights could be strengthened and what legal protection for cohabitants could look like and how this might be introduced. They want to hear from a range of people, such as wills and probate professionals and organisations on how the rights of cohabiting partners can be strengthened and what legal reform is necessary to provide further protection.

Cohabiting partners make up the fastest growing type of family, with over 3.4 million partners cohabiting in England or Wales. People in romantic relationships who cohabit currently have less legal protection than those who are married or in a civil partnership in the event of death or separation. Despite this, there is a belief that those couples who cohabit have very similar or the same rights to those who have joined in marriage or in a civil partnership.

This inquiry will focus on the rights of those in romantic relationships who live together, otherwise known as cohabiting partners or couples.

This inquiry is currently accepting evidence and the committee want to hear your views. They welcome submissions from anyone with answers to the questions in the call for evidence. You can submit evidence until Monday 5 July 2021.

Read the call for evidence before submitting here.