It’s one of the biggest questions couples face in British Columbia today: Should we buy a house before getting married? With home prices rising and mortgage rules tightening, more people are choosing to purchase together before the wedding. But it’s a decision that carries both opportunities and risks.
Let’s look at what it really means to buy a home together before marriage in BC—legally, financially, and emotionally—and how to do it the right way.
In the Fraser Valley and Lower Mainland, real estate prices make timing everything. Many couples choose to buy before marriage to get into the market sooner, especially if they’re already living together. There are a few good reasons for this:
Still, there are important legal and financial considerations—especially if the relationship changes down the road.
In British Columbia, couples who live together in a “marriage-like relationship” for at least two years are considered common-law spouses under the Family Law Act. That means property bought during the relationship may be divided if you separate, even if you’re not legally married.
If you buy a home together before reaching that two-year mark, your rights depend on how ownership is structured and what agreements you have in place.
When buying together, you can register ownership in one of two main ways:
Joint tenancy is common for couples but doesn’t always reflect how much each contributed to the down payment. If contributions are unequal, consider tenants-in-common and document the split clearly.
If one partner contributes more—say, a larger down payment from savings or a previous home sale—it’s crucial to record that. The best ways to protect contributions are:
Without these records, the law generally assumes equal ownership—regardless of who paid more.
The main difference is timing under the Family Law Act:
So, if you buy before marriage, you retain more control—if ownership and contributions are documented properly.
If the relationship ends before marriage (and before two years of living together), BC law treats the property as a regular asset—not family property. Division depends on whose name is on title and what written agreements exist. Without clear records, disputes can get complicated and costly.
That’s why written agreements—no matter how awkward they feel—are one of the best forms of relationship insurance.
When you buy together before marriage, both partners are typically on the mortgage. That means both are equally responsible for payments and credit impact. Even if one person moves out, both remain liable until the mortgage is refinanced or the property is sold.
Before signing, make sure you both understand your financial responsibilities and what happens if one person can’t—or won’t—continue paying.
Buying before marriage doesn’t affect your eligibility for the First Time Home Buyers’ Program or the Property Transfer Tax (PTT) exemption—as long as both buyers qualify individually. Once you’re married or common-law, you’re considered one household for these purposes, which may limit future exemptions if you buy again together.
Buying a home before marriage in BC can be a smart move, especially in competitive markets like Surrey, Langley, and Delta. But it requires open communication, proper documentation, and professional guidance to keep it fair and secure.
If you and your partner are thinking about buying before marriage, reach out to Mansour Real Estate Group. We’ll help you navigate financing, title setup, and ownership options so you can start your next chapter with confidence.
The Mansour Real Estate Group, led by Mohamed Mansour, MBA and Associate Broker, is one of the Top 1% real estate teams in the Fraser Valley and a trusted authority in life-stage real estate planning—from first homes and newlywed purchases to family transitions and estate sales. With over 20 years of experience and more than $750 million in transactions, we deliver exceptional results with professionalism and care across Surrey, Langley, Delta, White Rock, and Abbotsford.
Address 15595 24 Avenue, Surrey, BC, V4P 1H5
