Couple sign a contract to each other to govern every aspect of their relationship including chores, finances, sex and their own emotions

An unconventional couple have decided everything in their relationship is governed by a contract - with rules that regulate chores, finances, emotions and even their sex life.

Rosie Morrell, 41, and Marcus White, 51, from Dorchester, first drafted the contract in 2016 when they began dating, and have regularly revised it over the years as their relationship evolved.

The contract, signed by both partners, serves as a detailed guide on how they interact with each other, dividing household responsibilities, managing finances, and addressing personal traits that could rub off on one another.

Rosie, a sex therapist, takes on all cooking and cleaning tasks, while Marcus, a life coach, handles household maintenance.

The couple also lists their personal emotional triggers - such as Marcus' dislike of raised voices and Rosie's need for clarity in communication - as part of their effort to prevent tension from escalating.

One unique aspect of their contract focuses on safety after Marcus experienced a business-related fire, with Rosie agreeing to only light candles in designated 'safe spaces' in their home.

The couple say the contract is an essential part of maintaining their healthy relationship, while allowing them to efficiently fulfill responsibilities and obligations they have to one another.

Rosie said: 'When we were drawing up the agreements, it did initially feel a bit unromantic but we believe passionately about needing clear clarification of things.

'We have a document that we've both signed and we amended it during a scheduled meeting. It sounds like a job, but essentially for all relationships you need to work at them.'

Marcus added: 'The core part of the contract is really where we want to resolve things. There might be things we both do that we're not happy with.

'We're a very unusual couple and whatever kind of relationship you're constructing you need a clear understanding of what you expect of each other. Honesty is the core of any relationship so the contract facilitates that.'

The contract also delves into intimate aspects of their relationship. Rosie, who works in the sex industry creating adult content, shared how the contract has helped maintain open communication about sexual needs.

She revealed: 'In a more intimate way, I do webcamming and make porn videos and I know that men need to masturbate more than women need to.'

The agreement includes a provision allowing Marcus to look at her body while masturbating, which, according to the couple, helps build trust and prevent secrecy around sexual desires.

Rosie added: 'It's a difficult conversation, but it helps us maintain honesty and remove any stigma.'

Although not married, the couple also formalised a financial arrangement similar to a prenuptial agreement, keeping separate bank accounts and documenting their assets to avoid disputes should they part ways.

Rosie maintains a spreadsheet of everything they own individually, which they say fosters a sense of security in their relationship.

Marcus said: 'We know where we stand with each other with assets. So many people have fear of separating as they don't know how the financial situation is going to work out.'

Rosie added: 'I've got a spreadsheet of all the things I own and things that I may have bought, and Marcus may have bought. The level of trust we have is phenomenal because we talk about everything.'

The contract also lists the couple's triggers and traits known to irritate one another, and the pair claim that by highlighting problems at the root of the cause, rather than brushing over them, it helps to resolve tension that could grow greater over time.

Marcus said: 'I struggle with anger and I can be a bit arrogant sometimes and Rosie doesn't have those problems, she has tidiness, organisation, disciple, and not thinking before she speaks, for example.'

Rosie added: 'Marcus is slightly autistic and likes things explained clearly and I sometimes get words wrong and that can really trigger him.

'He will then have a slight tone when he responds so I then get triggered with the tone.

'Any other couple sweeps those minor things under the carpet but that can end up in a row - so we always look at those small things.'

Rosie and Marcus have also launched a political party called 'Everyone Is God' which they say is 'an extension' of their relationship - and both ran as candidates in the previous election.

They say a core part of their party is about solving human issues before solving political issues.

Rosie said: 'Sex and politics don't really go, but we're all about how that is the one act that creates life. Our party is about changing things and being more open so that politics isn't so stuck.'

Marcus added: 'Politics isn't driven by politics, it's driven by human beings, it's driven by psychology and if we want to resolve politics, we need to resolve human nature.'