JO SAYS:

I think you’d be best to seek some legal advice here, as I’m sure there would be a way in which your deposit (or the percentage of the property it represents) could be protected if you and your boyfriend were to split in the future. However, I think your dilemma says a lot about your relationship and how you feel about your boyfriend. Either you don’t trust him, or you don’t see him as a long-term partner, hence your reluctance to make such an important commitment with him. If that’s true, then I think you are best owning the place yourself and being honest with yourself about how you feel about this man.