Partner has signed the title deeds over to me for our house is he entitled to half of the proceeds if I sell it

Not if you hold title in your name only. I assume you meant to say they gave you a quit claim deed. I would go get those registered and clear up everything officially.

Not even if he had equity in the property before hesigned it over to me

That equity becomes your equity when the quit claim deed is signed over.

Unless there was an agreement that you would pay him half the value at the time of sale, once you own the property solely, your partner has no more interest.

So my question is why would he just give you his share?