A Bill to provide certain protections for persons who live together as a couple or have lived together as a couple; and to make provision about the property of deceased persons who are survived by a cohabitant; and for connected purposes.
House of Lords
2 May 2017
The Cohabitation Rights Bill aims to give legal protections to people who live together as a couple, or who have lived as a couple. It also lays out rules about the property of a deceased cohabitant when a surviving partner is involved, and includes other related provisions to support cohabiting relationships in law.
The Bill is currently at the 2nd Reading in the House of Lords, meaning it is in the early stages of consideration and has further stages to go if it progresses.
Generated 21 February 2026
First reading took place on 13 June. This stage is a formality that signals the start of the Bill's journey through the Lords.
Second reading - the general debate on all aspects of the Bill - is yet to be scheduled.
The 2016-2017 session of Parliament has prorogued and this Bill will make no further progress.
No recorded votes for this bill yet.
