Ask a solicitor: Joint tenancy vs tenancy in common for unmarried couples in Ireland

My partner and I plan to buy a property together and are unsure of the legal consequences if one of us was to die or if our relationship were to break down

Deciding how to hold property jointly is not merely an administrative step. It is a fundamental decision that should be carefully considered in light of inheritance, tax, and relationship breakdown risks.

Dear Alex,

My partner and I are not married, but we are planning to buy a property together. We are both contributing to the purchase, although not in equal amounts. When looking at the paperwork, we were asked whether we wanted to be registered as joint tenants or as tenants in common.