PEOPLE buying a house together risk losing their investment if they don’t seek legal advice first, the Law Society has warned.

It says co-habiting couples or friends buying together have no protection on their initial investment when it comes to selling.

It also says they are not protected by law in the same way as married couples or civil partners.

Nicholas Fluck, Law Society president, said the fluctuating property market means more people have to double up in order to afford a home, which is where problems often arise.

He said: “As banks demand bigger deposits and house prices rise, the money at stake is considerable.

“Buying a home is a huge, expensive step, and of course it’s exciting, but before signing anything, people must make sure their deposit is ring fenced.

“Nobody can predict the future, but if you need to sell the house for any reason and move on, it’s better to come away with your fair share and avoid a messy legal dispute.”