No wedding in sight

Yes you can put things in place, but thats not how it tends to work out in practice.
Women tend to be the ones who financially protect themselves less.
Especially once children come along

I really didn't think most people cared whether their children married or not nowadays.

The law still does! It gives women some financial protection.

I lived with both of my husbands before marriage.
So did I. But the man in the OP isnt keen on commitment which is a red flag

So many marriages don't last long anyway. The property ownership should be set up to ensure fairness. They should both make a will to ensure that the other would inherit.
A will can be changed.

Gosh, I'm amazed at some of the comments on here! I really didn't think most people cared whether their children married or not nowadays. As others have said, when entering into a joint mortgage, legal advice should be taken, but other than that, their lives, leave them to it!

Hmm, Im wary about men who don't want to commit. If he can commit to buying a place, why can't he commit to marriage? Too many women end up ' single mums' through no fault of their own, then the chap moves on to the next relationship and then another child to the next lady and so on. Marriage also is a kind of protection, especially if (God forbid) something happens to one of you. I have also seen relationships that seem to have engagements that go on for years. Like others, I think marriage does give some legal safeguards.

I lived with both of my husbands before marriage.

With the one I have now, we purchased a home together. Lived there for 4 years and then decided to get married.

It is up to the couple whether they want to get married or not, buy a home together, kids, etc

Your d and her bf have been living together for a year- that is commitment.
They want to buy a home together- another sign of commitment

Let them be. Why do we have to follow the same rules?
Go to college, get a degree, get married, buy a home, have kids... - this generic rule might not appeal to everybody.

I have had exactly this conversation this very week with a young friend of mine whose live-in boyfriend says, "why does a piece of paper matter?"
It's a specious arguement and a dangerous cop-out any partner should heed.

My friend said, 'Okay then, if it's just a piece of paper, you won't mind if we have one to prove we're married, will you?'

A piece of paper matters when you graduate.
It matters when you pass your driving test
It matters when you're in hospital or crossing a border

Making a public statement of commitment, religious or secular matter to most people because it's psychologically important to do so.

Why do we give people flowers anf gifts at special times instead of just congratulating them or telling them we love them?

But I was judgemental (and see no harm in that) and advised Sienna to think very carefully about this person and whether he really is right for her. Fortunately, not in a position to buy property.

So many marriages don't last long anyway. The property ownership should be set up to ensure fairness. They should both make a will to ensure that the other would inherit.

Should they get married? Yes. But at the end of the day, it's their decision.

You might mention something to her along the lines of, "You may want think about getting some legal advice about your home purchase." I cannot speak for everyone, but when Hubby and I bought our house, it was a private sale and we and the sellers both retained attorneys to handle it. (Hubby and I are married and were married when we bought the house.)

DS and his GF haven't married as far as I know and don't have plans to.
They have a child. I am sure they have made arrangements to protect him and themselves should anything happen. They own a house.

My son and DIL lived together for 11 years before they married.

Many younger people don't bother to marry, choosing instead to live togethe

Yes but when it goes wrong it tends to be the women that end up worse off, and worse off than they would have been had they been married.

A joint mortgage is a commitment, it is easier to leave a marriage than a mortgage.

Many younger people don't bother to marry, choosing instead to live together - I lived with my husband for a year before we got married - and many of them have children without a wedding (one of my sons did).

The best thing for your daughter to do is to ensure that everything is in joint names. When all's said and done, it's up to her as to whether she wants to live with her bloke - despite what you would prefer.

I agree with notanan2. Make sure she has a common-law agreement and has her name on title.

Marriage isn't as important to many young (and older) people. The key thing for your daughter is to have a written legal agreement with her partner about money and property. I'm astounded at the number of young women who don't do this.

She's insane to buy a flat with him if he's not sure whether he wants to commit.

I think just subtly make sure she gets independant legal councilling re the wording of the deeds!