The research show of 85% of first-time buyer couples today would choose a mortgage over marriage and more than four out of five consider sharing a mortgage to be as big a commitment as marriage.

Hugh McGuiness, sales director at Dandara, said: “The survey results show us just how much young people value getting onto the property ladder.”

The recent recommendations by advisors to the Ministry of Justice, which suggests that cohabiting couples should share some of the same rights as married couples, including a share of property.