Cohabitation Agreement Cost Calculator
Cohabitation Agreement Cost Estimate
Solicitor Fee (Person 1)-
Solicitor Fee (Person 2)-
Declaration of Trust (if needed)-
Land Registry Fee-
Total Estimated Cost-
Cohabitation Agreement Costs 2025/26
| Agreement Type | Person 1 | Person 2 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic (bills/rent) | £300–£700 | £200–£500 | £500–£1,200 |
| Property cohabitation | £800–£1,500 | £500–£1,000 | £1,300–£2,500 |
| Comprehensive | £1,500–£3,000 | £1,000–£2,000 | £2,500–£5,000 |
Cohabitation Rights in the UK
Common Law Marriage
Myth
Auto Property Rights
None
Cohabiting Couples UK
3.6 million
Avg Agreement Cost
£1,500
Declaration of Trust
£300–£600
Growing Annually
+25%
How to Use This Calculator
1
Select agreement type
Choose basic (bills only), property-focused, or comprehensive based on your needs.
2
Specify property situation
Indicate whether you are renting, one owns, joint ownership, or buying together.
3
Enter property value
If applicable, enter the current value of the property for Declaration of Trust calculations.
4
Note children provisions
If children are involved, additional clauses covering parental responsibility and living arrangements add cost.
5
Review total cost
The estimate includes both parties' solicitor fees, Declaration of Trust, and Land Registry fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a cohabitation agreement?
A cohabitation agreement is a legal document that sets out how unmarried couples will manage their finances, property, and other arrangements during their relationship and if they separate. Unlike married couples, cohabitants have very limited legal rights — there is no such thing as 'common law marriage' in England and Wales. A cohabitation agreement provides clarity and protection for both parties.
Is a cohabitation agreement legally binding?
Cohabitation agreements are not automatically legally binding in the same way as a court order, but they are treated as a strong evidence of the parties' intentions. Courts will uphold them provided both parties received independent legal advice, made full financial disclosure, and entered the agreement freely. They are increasingly given significant weight by courts.
Do unmarried couples have property rights?
Unmarried couples have very limited property rights. If the property is in one person's name, the other has no automatic right to it regardless of how long they have lived there or contributed to mortgage payments. A Declaration of Trust or cohabitation agreement can establish beneficial interests. Without documentation, claims rely on complex trust law (constructive/resulting trusts) which is expensive and uncertain to litigate.
What should a cohabitation agreement include?
A comprehensive agreement covers: property ownership shares, mortgage/rent contributions, household bills and expenses, savings and investments, debts, what happens to the property on separation, arrangements for children, pets, personal belongings, and life insurance/death provisions. It should also include a review clause to update the agreement when circumstances change.
How is a cohabitation agreement different from a prenup?
A prenup is for couples who are getting married and covers what happens on divorce. A cohabitation agreement is for unmarried couples and covers the relationship and separation. The key difference is that married couples have extensive statutory rights on divorce (under the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973), while cohabitants have almost none. This makes cohabitation agreements arguably even more important than prenups.
Official Sources & References
Data verified against official UK government sources. Last checked April 2026.