Am I liable for my cohabiting partner?

Questioner

I have a partner, living together, not a registered partnership. He comes from abroad and has a residence permit through the partnership He runs up debts, doesn't pay bills like medical bills and phone bills How far can I be held responsible for this?

Lawyer

In principle not, unless you would also enter into certain contractual obligations. But I do not assume that this is the case. In practice, unpleasant situations could arise. For example, if your partner were to be sentenced to pay certain amounts and that sentence were not complied with and a bailiff, for example, wanted to seize your partner's goods. In practice, a discussion could arise (with the bailiff) about who owns the goods in the house.