Cohabitation usually means two people living together as a couple in an intimate and committed relationship, without being married or in a civil partnership. It is based on the facts of the relationship rather than a formal legal status. There is no registration process, and living together for a certain amount of time does not automatically give either person financial rights.
In England and Wales, people who live together are not treated in the same way as spouses or civil partners. “Common law marriage” is not recognised. This means living together does not, by itself, give a person rights to maintenance, pensions, inheritance or a share of property. Any legal rights on separation will usually depend on property ownership, trust law, a contract such as a cohabitation agreement, or claims relating to children.
