The Cohabitation Rights Bill Reached the House of Lords — Here's What It Means for Unmarried Couples

On 17 July 2026, the House of Lords held the second reading of the Cohabitation Rights Bill(Bill No. 4138), introduced by Lord Marks of Henley-on-Thames. It was a significant moment — the first time in years that a dedicated cohabitation reform bill has reached this stage in the upper chamber.

But here is what you need to know: the bill is not law, and is unlikely to become law imminently.

What the Bill Proposes

The Cohabitation Rights Bill would, if enacted, give cohabitants — unmarried couples who live together — automatic inheritance rights on intestacy (when a partner dies without a will). Under the current law, the Inheritance Act 1975 and the intestacy rules, a surviving unmarried partner receives nothing automatically if their partner dies without a will. The family home, savings, and personal belongings pass to blood relatives instead.

Lord Marks's bill would change this. It would extend certain financial protections to cohabitants who have lived together for at least two years, or who have a child together.

Why the Bill Is Not Yet Law

The Cohabitation Rights Bill is a Private Member's Bill (PMB)— introduced by a peer, not the government. PMBs without government backing very rarely reach the statute book. There are three key reasons why this bill faces an uphill battle:

1. No government support: The current government has not signalled it will adopt the bill. Without government parliamentary time, the bill will struggle to progress past committee stage.
2. Competing legislative priorities:Parliament's schedule is crowded. Even bills with broad cross-party sympathy can stall for years.
3. Complexity of reform: Defining cohabitation, setting qualifying criteria, and handling existing property law is legally complex. The Law Commission has been examining this for over a decade without legislation resulting.

The second reading debate generates headlines — but headlines are not law.

What This Means for Unmarried Couples Today

If you are living with a partner but are not married or in a civil partnership, the law has not changed. Today, right now, you have no automatic right to inherit from your partner if they die without a will.

This means:

• Your partner's share of your joint home could pass to their parents or siblings under intestacy rules
• Their bank accounts, pension death benefits, and personal possessions follow the same rules
• You may be left fighting a legal battle at the worst possible time

The Lords debate is a signal that Parliament recognises the problem. But reform — if it comes — is years away. For a full explanation of why cohabiting couples are so exposed under current law, read our guide on cohabiting couples and inheritance in the UK.

The Only Protection Available Right Now

A will is the only legally binding document that lets an unmarried person choose who inherits their estate. A properly drafted will can:

• Leave your share of the property to your partner
• Name your partner as beneficiary of your savings and investments
• Appoint your partner as executor so they can manage your estate
• Name guardians for any children you share

For cohabiting couples, a will is not optional paperwork — it is the legal foundation of your financial relationship.

What Happens Next with the Bill

The bill will move to committee stage in the Lords, where peers examine it line by line. It may then progress to report stage and third reading. Even if it passes the Lords, it would need to pass the Commons and receive Royal Assent. Most PMBs fall before this point.

Realistically: watch this space over the next two to three years. Reform is on the agenda. It is not on the doorstep.