FURTHER EXPLANATION · 2 MIN READ
One Buyer Does Not Say Everything About a Household
The Notaire.be barometer of 11 June 2026 reports that 39% of Flemish home purchases in 2025 were made by a single person. The source uses the number of buyers, not their civil status. A purchase by one person therefore does not necessarily mean that this person is unmarried or living without a partner. This distinction prevents market figures from inadvertently leading to legal conclusions.
This background concerns a familiar next step: someone buys their own home and later cohabits. The new partner contributes to household expenses or to renovations. For unmarried partners, property rights do not automatically change by living together or by bearing costs. In marriage, the matrimonial property regime also plays a role. Always start from the deed of purchase and the actual form of the relationship.
Three Different Types of Contributions
A contribution to daily living costs is different from money for renovations or acquiring a share in the property. Mixing amounts makes later settlement difficult. Also, an invoice in your name does not automatically make you co-owner of your partner’s home. Separate legal steps are needed for a transfer of real estate rights.
The notarial explanation about renovating your cohabiting partner's home warns that repayment is not guaranteed without clear agreements. A cohabitation agreement or an appropriate acknowledgment of debt can help to record intentions and calculations. For legal cohabitation, a cohabitation agreement is drawn up by a notaire. Determine which instrument fits your situation and which proofs are required.
Paying for a Kitchen Does Not Mean Buying Ownership
Suppose your partner moves in with you and pays €20,000 for a new kitchen. You both agree this amount should be settled in case of a later separation. But do you mean the original amount, an amount reduced by use, or a share in the added value? And when will payment be made? The example shows why good intentions alone cannot be sufficiently precise. Record the arrangement before payment, when both parties can discuss the same expectations.
Gather your title deed, loan details, quotes and an overview of who will make which expenses. Keep daily costs separate from investments and note what happens in case of sale, separation or death. If your partner also wants to become an owner, have the transfer and all associated costs examined separately. Notariaat Wellens helps compare options and legally record the chosen agreements. Seek advice before a large payment or renovation has fixed the facts; this leaves room for conscious choice.