Is Virginia a Common Law state?

[sissis]

What is the name of your state? Virginia.
If two people are living together, and only one person owns the home, can the other person claim any rights to the home when the relationship breaks up? The non-owner of the home does pay some rent money but is not on the deed or mortgage.

 

[kat1963]

No, it's not common law. You could try small claims court...but you would have had to have been paying to shelter yourself anyway (rent). I'm not saying you can't try, it's just that I've heard alot of similar cases and the judges tend to rule in that way...you would have had to have paid (to live) anyway somewhere right? If you have receipts for say repairs or additions to the home, you'd probably be able to recoup your funds. It would be different if you were married and not on the deed. I own my home, but know that by getting married, I'd owe him 50% of the equity from the time we married to the time if we ever divorced.
And I realize by your post, you might be the home owner, it was just easier to answer in this fashion.
Good Luck!
KAT