Why you should have agreements for joint ownerships (2024)

Why you should have agreements for joint ownerships (1)

“Mother, let’s buy a house. You pay half, I pay half.”

When you can’t afford to buy a property on your own, sharing with someone else could be a good idea but do you know the risks involved in joint ownership? Indeed, joint ownerships could lead to nightmares in the unforeseen future, especially when relationships turn sour.

Founder and managing partner of Chur Associates Chris Tan explains that if there is no legal evidence suggesting otherwise, all co-owners are deemed to have the exact same equal share of the property. If there is bank financing for the property, it is very likely that the joint owners shall be jointly liable for the entire loan sum procured and not for each co-owner’s respective share only.

Decision making in a joint ownership of a property is a situation where it is “all or nothing”, where everyone agrees or it’s a no-go. “It’s certainly not a matter of majority rules,” says Tan.

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One way to prevent unpleasant scenarios among joint owners of a property is to have the parties sign a joint-ownership agreement (JOA).

A JOA is signed between co-buyers who enter into the Sale and Purchase Agreement together. Although there is no guarantee that a JOA could solve all problems, an agreement is better than no agreement, says Tan.

Law firm Marcus Hwang & Co partner Normaliza Sulaiman concurs. “The JOA will assist the co-proprietors to resolve any disputes, differences or disagreements,” she says.

Why you should have agreements for joint ownerships (2)

Before meeting a lawyer, the potential joint owners should discuss and agree on major issues such as whether the spread of co-ownership interest should be 20:80 or 40:60 or 50:50 and so on; distribution of utility fees and various expenses; as well as a consensus on maintenance, repair and improvement of the property.

More importantly, the owners need to specify conditions to guide their decision-making regarding the property and the process for selling the property, such as how to determine a minimum selling price and duration for holding the property.

Possible eventualities and solutions also need to be considered. The owners are encouraged to agree on and spell out clear exit strategies if relationships between parties become strained or when one dies or becomes ill.

Clauses on pre-emptive rights (right of first refusal) should also be included to grant a co-owner the first right to buy out the property if the property is to be disposed.

Inheritance of the agreement

If one of the joint-owners dies, the person’s heritage beneficiary or beneficiaries will inherit the deceased’s portion of the property.

Notwithstanding the fact that Malaysia is part of the

Commonwealth and is still operating under the British Common Law today, Tan points out that Malaysia does not adopt the notion of the “law of survivorship”. In other words, if a co-owner passes away, the surviving owner/owners will not inherit the property if he or she is not a heritage beneficiary of the deceased.

The successors of the heritage should be bound by the terms of the JOA, but ultimately it is up to the court to decide whether the agreement could be challenged or not.

The concept of having a JOA is still relatively new in Malaysia. As such, the legality of a JOA has yet to be tested in the local judicial system.

However, the courts are likely to consider the agreement, as long as the agreement does not contradict with the Contract Act 1950 or the National Land Code 1965 (NLC 1965) and there is no duress or fraud.

“All agreements are legally valid and sufficient if they are executed by the relevant parties, attested witnesses and stamped to have the agreement admissible for court proceedings,” Normaliza says.

Why you should have agreements for joint ownerships (3)

“It is generally binding and enforceable, unless it is validly challenged in law or even policy reasons like inconsistency with the applicable bumiputera policies,” says Tan, adding that this is normally an extra contractual agreement with mutually agreeable unique terms between the joint owners, in addition to the fact that the joint ownership should have been adequately reflected in the land registry already.

Normaliza adds that the legal fee charged by each solicitor to draw up the JOA differs as the JOA does not fall under the scale or fixed fee under the Solicitors Remuneration Order 2015. Thus, solicitors are free to charge fair and reasonable fees based on the contents, complexity and time taken in the preparation of such an agreement.

So, do you really need a JOA?

Perhaps, because it’s not just about signing an agreement but by doing so, it forces the buyers to sit down and dive deep into the purpose of buying a property together, while getting to know more about each other’s needs and constraints.

Most importantly, sufficient communication is needed to prevent dispute and losses arising from joint ownership property.

Co-owners have to ensure that they share common objectives for buying the property, to avoid conflict and dispute regarding the management of the property.

As each person may have different financial needs at different times, a common financial objective is an important consideration.

Normaliza says it is better for the co-owners to have legal relationship or strong relationship bond, such as spouses or family members, as this could reduce the risk of personal conflicts later on.

“Choose wisely your co-proprietor. If you have a legal relationship with each other, if one dies, the inheritance will remain within the same circle,” she says.

Meanwhile, Tan says it is advisable for owners to have the right expectations of each other.

“As long as there is sufficient consensus among the co-owners, whether there is a need for a proper document will depend on the risk profile of the respective co-owners,” he adds.

Why you should have agreements for joint ownerships (4)

Form a company to hold the property

Another way to reduce risk in a joint ownership is to set up a joint-holding company to hold the property. This could potentially eliminate some hurdles at the point of exit from the investment.

Unlike jointly holding a property, the majority rules in decision-making in a company as regulated under the Companies Act, potentially easing the decision-making process.

Apart from that, there is a difference between being a director and a shareholder especially in terms of rights and obligations.

According to Normaliza, the benefit of forming a company to hold a property is that the rights of each co-proprietor will be based on the amount of company shares they hold. Similarly, the liability is limited to the shares held.

A company can also act as an entity for ownership transfer. As a shareholder, one can sell shares in the company that owns the property. A shareholders’ agreement can be drawn up to govern the co-owners’ relationship.

On top of that, she points out that a company that owns a property can have an increase in their limit for capital funding.

However, costs and ongoing obligations for setting up a company should also be mulled over.

Costs to maintain a company include employing a company secretary to keep records and proceedings, as well as the expenses for annual filings, book keeping, mandatory annual audit, tax submission and Annual General Meeting and/or Extraordinary General Meeting and so on. Costs of setting up a company and closing it down should also be considered.

The good part is that all expenses are deductible as company expenses instead of individual expenses.

On the downside, if a company is to acquire a residential property, the margin of finance from the banks is generally lower given that the purchase is for investment purpose, while the applicable interests might differ too.

He adds that the profit from the property disposal and rental could be subject to Real Property Gains Tax or income tax depending on the circ*mstances. Furthermore, there is also a need to declare dividends before the profit can be distributed to the shareholders.

Whatever you choose to do, it is best to consult a professional, Tan advises.

This story first appeared in theEdgeProp.mypullout onJuly 19, 2019.You can access back issueshere.

Why you should have agreements for joint ownerships (5)

Why you should have agreements for joint ownerships (2024)

FAQs

What is the purpose of joint ownership? ›

While joint tenancy can apply to personal property, bank and brokerage accounts and business ownership, it's most used for investments in real estate. When purchasing property, joint tenancy provides all parties with equal rights to and responsibilities for the real estate purchased.

What are the pros and cons of joint ownership? ›

Key Takeaways
  • Some of the main benefits of joint tenancy include avoiding probate courts, sharing responsibility, and maintaining continuity.
  • The primary pitfalls are the need for agreement, the potential for assets to be frozen, and loss of control over the distribution of assets after death.

What is the special benefit of joint tenancy? ›

Advantages of Joint Tenancy

The benefits of joint tenancy are similar to those of community property with a right of survivorship, as both manners of holding title are likely to avoid probate upon the death of a title holder, which can result in the surviving title holder(s) saving money, time and headaches.

What is a joint ownership agreement? ›

A joint ownership agreement enables owners of property to describe how they will purchase, finance, maintain, and potentially sell it. It is similar to many other types of contracts in that it defines the rights and responsibilities of each party.

What are the characteristics of joint ownership? ›

Each party in a joint tenancy has an equal interest in the property—the financial obligations as well as any benefits. A joint tenancy creates a right of survivorship, which means that if one party dies, their interest is automatically transferred to the surviving tenant(s).

What is an example of joint ownership? ›

Joint tenancy pertains to property ownership in which each party on the title to the property holds an individual interest in the property. An example of a joint tenancy is the ownership over a house by a married couple. In this situation, joint tenancy comes with the ''right of survivorship''.

Why avoid joint ownership? ›

Each joint owner can independently sell, license, or otherwise exploit the patent without the approval of the other and without having to account to each other for their revenues. Without the cooperation of all owners, none can grant an exclusive license to a third party and so this valuable right is compromised.

What are three advantages and disadvantages of home ownership? ›

Pros and Cons of Owning a House
ProsCons
Stability and peace of mindMust pay annual property taxes and homeowners' insurance (if you have a mortgage)
Can usually generate equity (money) long-termComes with regular maintenance costs (for painting, mowing, edging, tree-trimming, plumbing, roof repairs, etc.)
3 more rows
Mar 12, 2023

What is the most common form of joint ownership? ›

Tenancy in common (sometimes called a "TIC") is the most popular form of concurrent property ownership. Tenants in common (or co-tenants) each own an equal share of a piece of property -- whether it's a house, an apartment building, or other type of real estate.

Which is the most important characteristic of a joint tenancy? ›

The most important characteristic of a joint tenancy is the right of survivorship. Because a joint tenancy is but one estate, it is not possible for any interest to pass by reason of the death of a joint tenant to that joint tenant's heirs or devisees.

What are the four elements necessary for a joint tenancy? ›

Four conditions that are required in order for there to be a formation of a joint tenancy. The four unities are: time, title, interest and possession.

What is one of the most outstanding characteristics of joint tenancy? ›

One of the advantages of holding property in joint tenancy is that upon the death of one owner, no probate is required to transfer the property into the names of the co-owners. (Keep in mind that the title only goes to the co-owners not the heirs of the deceased owner.

What is the ownership agreement between two parties? ›

Establishing a legal agreement between the co-owners provides clarity about the rights and obligations of co-owners and protects everyone in the case of disputes. This type of agreement is called a co-ownership agreement.

What is an ownership agreement? ›

Owners' agreement or ownership agreement refer to the contract made between owners of a business entity that determines the rights of the owners. Ownership agreements differ based on the type of business such as partnerships or LLCs.

What is the meaning of ownership arrangement? ›

Related Definitions

Ownership Arrangement means any agreement between ION and any Health Care Provider that owns any percentage, directly or indirectly, whether through shares, membership interests, or other ownership or investment means, of a Leasing Company or other ION entity.

What is the right of joint owner? ›

When two or more owners hold a property together, it is known as joint ownership or joint tenancy. On the death of one or more of the owners, their shares pass on automatically to the surviving joint owner/tenant by the right of survivorship.

Which of the following is true of a joint ownership? ›

Which of the following is true of a joint tenancy? The tenants have an equal and indivisible ownership interest.

What are ownership characteristics? ›

The concept of ownership includes a number of claims such as power, liberty and immunity in regard to the thing owned. Therefore, Ownership is a sum-total of possession, destruction, and disposition which includes the right to enjoy property by the owner.

How do you show joint ownership in a sentence? ›

Separate and Joint Possession

To make two nouns show separate possession, add an apostrophe and an "s" after each possessive noun. Ex: Kari's and Lynn's bikes are in excellent condition. (They each have a bike.) To make two nouns show joint possession, add an apostrophe only to the second unit.

What is another word for joint ownership? ›

What is another word for joint-ownership?
communityjoint ownership
common ownershipshared possession
joint liabilityjoint participation

What are common ownership examples? ›

Examples of things 'naturally' held as common ownership include the air, running water, and the sea.

What is the difference between partners and joint owners? ›

Partnership is based on contractual relationship among partners. Co-ownership may be by the operation of law. On the death of father, sons become co-owners of his property. On the other hand, partnership is the outcome of an agreement.

What are the disadvantages of common ownership? ›

The main disadvantage of Shared Ownership is that you still have to make monthly rental payments, as you don't fully own the property. The other main drawback is that you're also liable for all the charges you would expect to pay as a tenant.

How many joint owners can you have? ›

The following applies to joint tenancy and to tenancy in common. Up to four people can be named as legal owners. If there are more than four owners then ownership is through the device of a trust. The additional owners (and there can be any number) can be named as beneficiaries of the resulting trust for sale.

Why is home ownership so important? ›

Home ownership in the United States has long been a cornerstone of the American dream. Not only does it signify independence and financial security, but this milestone also contributes to economic growth and job creation in communities.

What are the main benefits of home ownership? ›

When it comes to buying a home, there are numerous perks that come along with just the house itself; financial stability, financial strength, tax deductions, a permanent home, and a sense of belonging in your community. Homeownership may seem like a daunting task, but the payoff is highly rewarding!

What is the common benefit of home ownership? ›

The benefits of investing in a home include appreciation, home equity, tax deductions, and deductible expenses.

What is it called when property is held by one person? ›

Individual ownership refers to property that is owned in your sole name without any other owners or a beneficiary designation.

What is the highest form of ownership in real estate? ›

Fee simple is a legal term used in real estate that means full and irrevocable ownership of land, and any buildings on that land. Fee simple is the highest form of ownership — it means the land is owned outright, without any limitations or restrictions other than local zoning ordinances.

Which form of ownership gives the owner full control over the entire property and doesn t share the property with co owners? ›

Ownership in severalty (aka tenancy in severalty) is when real estate is owned by a single person or legal entity, providing the owner with the most complete control of the land.

Why is a joint tenancy better than a tenancy in common? ›

Because joint tenancy provides the right of survivorship, you may sometimes see it as “joint tenancy with right of survivorship” and abbreviated JTWROS. In a tenancy in common, there is no right of survivorship. This means that property ownership does not automatically pass to the surviving owners.

Why is joint tenancy sometimes called a poor man's will? ›

Some people refer to joint accounts as a “poor man's will” because these accounts have the ability to pass outside of the probate process. A person who owns property as joint tenants with another who would have passed the property to the same joint tenant can do so without the need for a will.

What happens when two siblings own a property and one dies? ›

Unless the will explicitly states otherwise, inheriting a house with siblings means that ownership of the property is distributed equally. The siblings can negotiate whether the house will be sold and the profits divided, whether one will buy out the others' shares, or whether ownership will continue to be shared.

What are the unity required for joint tenancy? ›

A Joint Tenancy must include these four unities: Unity of interest: The interest of each owner is equal. Unity of time: The interest of the owners is acquired at the same time. Unity of possession: The owners have the right of survivorship.

What does unity of ownership mean in a joint tenancy? ›

Unity of Title Rule: This complex rule requires that each joint tenant must own the same precise title since each owns an undivided interest. If that unity is broken, then the property is converted to tenancy in common, even if the person breaking the unity and the other joint tenants do not know.

Which statement best applies to joint tenancy? ›

Which statement BEST applies to joint tenancy? The answer is the last survivor becomes a severalty owner.

What are the main differences between joint tenancy and tenancy in common? ›

Joint tenancy also differs from tenancy in common because when one joint tenant dies, the other remaining joint tenants inherit the deceased tenant's interest in the property. However, a joint tenancy does allow owners to sell their interests. If one owner sells, the tenancy is converted to a tenancy in common.

What is the major difference between tenancy in common and joint tenancy? ›

In Tenancy in Common, the ownership portion passes to the individual's estate at death. In Joint Tenancy, the title of the property passes to the surviving owner.

What is the most common form of co-ownership when the owners are not married? ›

Perhaps the most common way for unmarried couples to take title to real property is as "tenants in common." Unlike a joint tenancy, a tenant in common has no automatic right to inherit the property when the other partner dies.

Does an agreement need to be signed by both parties? ›

A written contract must be signed by both parties to be legally enforceable. However, some types of oral contracts are also valid and do not require signatures from either party.

What is an agreement between two parties for the right to use an assets? ›

3.1 A lease is an agreement whereby the lessor conveys to the lessee in return for a payment or series of payments the right to use an asset for an agreed period of time.

What is the purpose of ownership? ›

Ownership is a concept closely related to property. It is the legally recognized and enforceable rights that a person has to property. This concept is important because it is possible to possess property and not own it. For example, you find a valuable item on the side of the road and you cannot determine the owner.

How do you write an ownership agreement? ›

What Should be Included in an Operating Agreement?
  1. Names, addresses, and titles of each member.
  2. Ownership percentages.
  3. Member rights and responsibilities.
  4. Responsibility, liability, and powers of members and/or managers.
  5. Profit and loss distribution.
  6. Buying and selling rules.
  7. Dissolution instructions.
  8. Meeting guidelines.

What is the best definition of ownership ownership? ›

What is the best definition of ownership? Ownership is the right to possess land or goods.

What is the rule of ownership? ›

An owner is not allowed to use his land or property in a manner that it is injurious to others. His right of ownership is not unrestricted. The owner has a right to posses the thing that he owns. It is immaterial whether he has actual possession of it or not.

What are 3 different types of ownership? ›

There are three common types of businesses—sole proprietorship, partnership, and corporation—and each comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Here's a rundown of what you need to know about each one.

What are the types of ownership structure? ›

The most common forms of business are the sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, and S corporation.

What is joint ownership most often used for real estate? ›

Tenancy in common (sometimes called a "TIC") is the most popular form of concurrent property ownership. Tenants in common (or co-tenants) each own an equal share of a piece of property -- whether it's a house, an apartment building, or other type of real estate.

What is it called when multiple people own a property? ›

A co-owned home is a property that was purchased and is owned jointly by two or more people. All owners are included on the title of the home, and all parties hold a portion of ownership in the property.

What is the strongest form of real property ownership? ›

Fee simple is the highest form of ownership — it means the land is owned outright, without any limitations or restrictions other than local zoning ordinances.

What is the common ownership of property? ›

Ownership in common refers to the right of ownership shared by two or more people whose interests are divisible. Upon the death of one owner, their interest in the property passes to the dead owner's heirs. This means that if A and B have ownership in common of property (E) , and A dies, A's share does not go to B.

What is the most basic form of property ownership? ›

Sole ownership or tenancy of severalty. By far the most simple, this occurs when a single person owns the property. A sole owner is free to sell, gift, or bequeath the property to anyone without needing permission of any kind.

Does the oldest child inherit everything? ›

Primogeniture (/ˌpraɪm-ə-/ also /-oʊ-ˈdʒɛnɪtʃər/) is the right, by law or custom, of the firstborn legitimate child to inherit the parent's entire or main estate in preference to shared inheritance among all or some children, any illegitimate child or any collateral relative.

How does inheriting a house with siblings affect taxes? ›

In California, there is no state-level estate or inheritance tax. If you are a California resident, you do not need to worry about paying an inheritance tax on the money you inherit from a deceased individual. As of 2023, only six states require an inheritance tax on people who inherit money.

How do you deal with greedy siblings after death? ›

Dealing with Greedy Family Members After a Death: 9 Tips
  1. Be Honest. ...
  2. Look for Creative Compromises. ...
  3. Take Breaks from Each Other. ...
  4. Understand That You Can't Change Anyone. ...
  5. Remain Calm in Every Situation. ...
  6. Use “I” Statements and Avoid Blame. ...
  7. Be Gentle and Empathetic. ...
  8. Mediation.
Sep 1, 2022

Can two people own 100% of a property? ›

Tenancy by entirety (TBE) is an ownership option available to married couples. TBE allows both parties in a married couple to hold an equal ownership interest in the property. Each spouse will own 100% of the property through this avenue. With TBE, the married couple is treated as one legal entity.

What is it called when you use someone else's property? ›

Another kind of trespass, however, is more permanent. It involves using another's property as an owner would use it. If, for example, someone drives across your land every day, it is a trespass unless you have granted permission or the driver has a legal right, called an easem*nt, to use that part of your property.

What is property owned by both spouses called? ›

Community property is property that is owned equally by the spouses. In community property states, money earned by the spouses during marriage and all property bought with those earnings are generally considered community property.

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