Buying a home together? Put who owns what in writing.
A declaration of trust records who paid what, and who gets what if you sell or split up. Make yours online in about 15 minutes for £59. Solicitors charge from about £300.
- One payment, no subscription
- Live preview before you pay
- Instant PDF and signing guide
- Re-download any time
- Printed copies posted for £12.99
Who needs one
If you own a home with someone you aren't married to, the paperwork you sign is most of what a court will look at if you split up. A declaration of trust is that paperwork.
You put in different amounts
One of you paid a bigger deposit, and you want that reflected when you sell.
Family helped with the deposit
A parent gave one of you money towards the purchase and wants it protected.
You're tenants in common
You own separate shares and want them written down.
One of you pays more each month
More of the mortgage, or the bills, and you want that to count.
You want an exit plan
Agree now how much notice to give and who can buy whom out.
How it works
Start to finish in an evening. Nothing to post anywhere official.
-
Answer the questions
The property, what each of you put in, and how you want to split it. About 15 minutes.
-
Check the preview
Your declaration builds as you type, so you can check your names, property and amounts are right before you pay.
-
Pay and download
£59 for an instant PDF. Add a printed copy posted to you for £12.99.
-
Sign in front of a witness
It's a deed, so each of you signs in front of an independent adult, who signs too.
-
Keep it safe
Store the signed original with your property papers. It doesn't go to the Land Registry.
What it costs elsewhere
The same document, four ways to get it.
Free Word template
£0
A blank document. You work out the wording, the shares and the signing rules yourself.
Buying Together
£59
- Questions in plain English
- Live preview as you type
- Instant PDF and signing guide
Online drafting service
£180
Someone drafts it from your answers. You wait a few working days for a draft to approve.
Solicitor
£300+
Drafted for you, with advice on your situation. Worth it if things are complicated.
When to see a solicitor instead
Our template is for the common case: two people, both named on the deeds, buying together or already owning, who agree how to split. Get advice instead if:
- only one of you is, or will be, on the deeds
- there are more than two owners
- the property is a buy-to-let or owned through a company
- you've already split up, or you can't agree on the shares
- one of you is giving up rights in exchange for something else
- you're married or in a civil partnership and want the split to hold if you divorce (a divorce court can override it)
Questions
Can we make our own declaration of trust?
Yes. There's no rule that a solicitor has to write it. It has to be in writing and signed, and it's normally signed as a deed, in front of a witness. Our template follows that format and tells you how to sign it.
Is it legally binding?
Once it's signed and witnessed properly, the courts generally hold both owners to the shares it sets out. If you're married or in a civil partnership and later divorce, a court can still divide things differently.
Do we send it to the Land Registry?
No. You keep the signed original with your property papers. If you own as tenants in common, the Land Registry entry for your home should show a restriction (from a form called Form A). Conveyancers usually add it when you buy. We explain how to check.
Who can be our witness?
An adult who isn't one of the owners. Avoid family members and anyone who could benefit from the property. One witness can watch you both sign, as long as they're present each time.
Can we change it later?
Yes. You both sign a new declaration that replaces the old one, for example after one of you pays off a large chunk of the mortgage.
When should we sign it?
Ideally before or on the day you complete, so it's in place from the start. Tell your conveyancer you're buying as tenants in common, and they'll record that on the transfer.
We already bought the house. Is it too late?
No. You can make a declaration of trust at any time after buying. We'll ask how you own the property and tell you if there's an extra step first.
Fifteen minutes now saves an argument later.
Answer the questions and check the preview. You only pay when you're ready to download.