Buying a home is one of life’s biggest moments. For many people in the UK, it’s the single most valuable thing they ever own — and the foundation for everything else they build. But while people spend months comparing mortgages and choosing the right property, far fewer stop to think what would happen to that home if they died unexpectedly.

A Will doesn’t just decide who gets the keys — it makes sure your family keeps a roof over their heads, avoids unnecessary tax or delays, and prevents confusion at a time when they least need it.

A house changes your estate overnight

When you buy a home, you’re not just adding bricks and mortar — you’re changing the structure and value of your entire estate. That affects who inherits, whether inheritance tax applies, and how easily your loved ones can manage financially if something happens to you.

In the UK, how you own your property is crucial:

• Joint tenants: If you own the property this way with someone else, your share automatically passes to them when you die — no matter what your Will says.
  
  
• Tenants in common: You each own a defined share, which passes under your Will. If there’s no Will, the law of intestacy decides who gets it.
  
  

For couples who aren’t married or in civil partnerships, or for people with children from previous relationships, getting this wrong can be costly.

When plans go wrong: a real example

Sarah and Mark bought a family home together as tenants in common. They planned to each leave their share to their own children from earlier marriages. But Mark never updated his old Will, which left everything to his first wife by default. When he died suddenly, his share of the house passed to an ex he hadn’t spoken to in years. Sarah faced an expensive legal battle to keep her home safe for her own children.

What about the mortgage?

Most homeowners also have a mortgage, often protected by life insurance. But that safety net only works if it’s set up properly. If the insurance payout isn’t written in trust or linked clearly to a current Will, it may land in the estate, get tied up in probate, or even trigger inheritance tax — leaving your surviving family covering payments they can’t afford while waiting for the legal process to finish.

When should you update your Will?

Your Will should evolve with your life. A new house — or changes to how you own your current one — is always a reason to review it. Other clear triggers include marriage or divorce, having children, or receiving other significant assets.

It doesn’t need to be complicated. A short conversation with an estate planning professional can highlight gaps you didn’t know you had.

Keep your home in the family — without extra stress

Your home is more than an asset — it’s your family’s foundation. Making sure your Will reflects how it’s owned, how the mortgage is protected, and who should inherit means you protect not just the property but the people who live in it.

If you’ve bought a house recently — or plan to soon — now is the time to check your Will. It’s a simple step that can prevent unexpected heartache down the line.