High prices mean teaming up is often necessary – but it needs straight talking (and legal help) to avoid the pitfalls

Average UK house prices are continuing to march upwards – rising more than £80 a day last month, according to Nationwide. With affordability an ever-increasing challenge, it is no wonder growing numbers of individuals are joining forces with someone else to get on to the property ladder.

A recent survey of 2,000 adults aged 18 to 45 who did not own a home found 40% believed they would never be able to buy a property by themselves.