IrelandMy cohabitant and I separated. Do I have property rights?
Cohabitants in Ireland do not automatically have property rights on separation, unless they have a cohabitation agreement or can prove a beneficial interest in the property through contribution or common intention.
What the Law Says
The Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 introduced limited legal protections for cohabitants in Ireland, but it does not grant automatic property rights on separation like marriage or civil partnership.
Under Irish law, cohabitants — unmarried couples living together in an intimate relationship — are not treated the same as married or civil partnered couples when it comes to property division. There is no automatic right to a share of property owned solely by the other person.
However, the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 created a statutory redress scheme for qualifying cohabitants. To qualify, the couple must have lived together in an intimate relationship for at least 2 years (or 3 years if they have a child together), and one party must be financially dependent or disadvantaged due to the relationship’s breakdown.
Even then, the court may only award financial redress — such as a lump sum, property adjustment, or pension adjustment — not automatic ownership. The maximum amount of a redress order is €156,000 (or half the value of the respondent’s estate, whichever is less). Applications must be made within 2 years of separation.
Statutory TextA qualified cohabitant may apply to the court for redress under this Part in respect of the relationship where the relationship has ended otherwise than by the death of one of the cohabitants.
— Children and Family Relationships Act 2015, s. 172 — Application for redress
What to Do
Check if you meet the definition of a 'qualified cohabitant' (e.g., lived together ≥2 years, or ≥3 years with a child)
Gather evidence of financial contributions to property, shared expenses, or reliance on the relationship
Seek legal advice before the 2-year deadline from separation to apply for redress
Consider negotiating a cohabitation agreement if still together, to clarify property rights in advance
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.