Living together refers to an arrangement where people who are not married, usually couples, live together on a long-term or permanent basis. It is often associated with romantic or sexually intimate relationships. Cohabitation has become increasingly common in Western countries since the late 20th century, being led by changing social views, especially regarding marriage, gender roles, and religion.

While there is no legal definition of living together, it generally means to live together as a couple without being married. Couples who live together are sometimes called common-law partners. In general, couples who live together have fewer legal rights than those who are married or in a civil partnership. However, couples who live together can formalize aspects of their status by drawing up a legal agreement called a cohabitation contract or living together agreement. This agreement outlines the rights and obligations of each partner towards each other. If a couple makes a living together agreement, they should also make a legal agreement about how they share their property, which is called a ‘declaration of trust’ .

People may live together for a number of reasons, such as to save money, because of the convenience of living with another, or a need to find housing. Lower-income individuals facing financial uncertainty may delay or avoid marriage, not only because of the difficulty of paying for a wedding but also because of fear of financial instability.

In summary, living together refers to an arrangement where people who are not married, usually couples, live together on a long-term or permanent basis. While there is no legal definition of living together, it generally means to live together as a couple without being married. Couples who live together have fewer legal rights than those who are married or in a civil partnership, but they can formalize aspects of their status by drawing up a legal agreement called a cohabitation contract or living together agreement.