{"id":13084,"date":"2025-11-12T10:05:28","date_gmt":"2025-11-12T10:05:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/staging.consultants-immobilier.com\/?page_id=13084"},"modified":"2025-11-12T10:05:28","modified_gmt":"2025-11-12T10:05:28","slug":"what-is-a-joint-property-purchase-in-real-estate","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/staging.consultants-immobilier.com\/en\/buyers-guides\/buying-through-an-sci\/what-is-a-joint-property-purchase-in-real-estate\/","title":{"rendered":"What is a joint property purchase in real estate?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><p>[vc_row full_width=&#8221;stretch_row_content&#8221; content_placement=&#8221;top&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1670852810251{background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}&#8221; el_class=&#8221;back_div&#8221;][vc_column css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1657728499249{padding-right: 15px !important;padding-left: 15px !important;}&#8221;][vc_raw_html css=&#8221;&#8221;]JTNDZGl2JTIwY2xhc3MlM0QlMjJteV9iYWNrX2J1dHRvbiUyMiUzRSUwQSUwOSUwOSUwOSUwOSUwOSUwOSUzQ2ElMjBocmVmJTNEJTIyaHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZ3d3cuY29uc3VsdGFudHMtaW1tb2JpbGllci5jb20lMkZlbiUyRnByb3BlcnR5LWd1aWRlcyUyRiUyMiUzRSUzQyUyMEJhY2slMjB0byUyMHByb3BlcnR5JTIwZ3VpZGVzJTNDJTJGYSUzRSUwQSUwOSUwOSUwOSUwOSUwOSUzQyUyRmRpdiUzRQ==[\/vc_raw_html][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1762941660963{background-image: url(https:\/\/staging.consultants-immobilier.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/indivision.jpeg?id=13085) !important;background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}&#8221; el_class=&#8221;override_left&#8221;][vc_column css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1657728499249{padding-right: 15px !important;padding-left: 15px !important;}&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row el_class=&#8221;override_pos&#8221;][vc_column][vc_row_inner css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1662026446228{background-color: #e4e4e4 !important;}&#8221;][vc_column_inner][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;What is a joint property purchase in real estate?&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h1|font_size:37|text_align:center|color:%23040e31&#8243; use_theme_fonts=&#8221;yes&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1762941804611{padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 30px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}&#8221; el_class=&#8221;relative_pos&#8221;][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner equal_height=&#8221;yes&#8221; el_class=&#8221;firstblock guide-wrapper-row vc_row-o-equal-height vc_row-flex&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1765897502487{background-color: #ffffff !important;}&#8221;][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;4\/5&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221; el_class=&#8221;resume_block&#8221;][\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221; el_class=&#8221;content_block&#8221;]<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A <\/span><b>joint property purchase<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> allows several people to buy the same real estate property together, with each becoming the owner of a specific share expressed as a percentage. It\u2019s a fairly common arrangement in real estate transactions: an unmarried couple buying their first apartment, siblings inheriting the family home, or friends investing in a rental property. Joint ownership is a simple way to buy property together without creating a separate legal structure.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>What exactly is joint ownership from a legal standpoint?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Joint ownership is a shared ownership structure governed by <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.legifrance.gouv.fr\/codes\/id\/LEGISCTA000006136538\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Articles 815 and following<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of the French Civil Code. In practice, each co-owner holds an abstract share of the property (30%, 50%, 70%, etc.), but all are collectively owners of the entire property. You don\u2019t own \u201cthe kitchen\u201d or \u201cthe back bedroom\u201d; you own a percentage of the whole.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This share is stated in the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/staging.consultants-immobilier.com\/en\/sellers-guides\/the-stages-of-the-sale\/deed-of-sale\/deed-of-ownership\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">deed of ownership<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and determines your rights: the share of rental income, sale proceeds, and expenses. Many unmarried couples use this arrangement to buy their first home, and nearly all inheritances create joint ownership among heirs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Relatively simple to set up, a <\/span><b>joint property purchase<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> only requires a clause in the notarial deed.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>How does a joint property purchase work in practice?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Day to day, joint ownership follows strict rules designed to prevent disputes:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For <\/span><b>maintenance actions<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (e.g., roof repair), any co-owner can act alone.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For <\/span><b>administrative actions<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (e.g., signing a lease), a two-thirds majority is required.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For <\/span><b>major actions<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (e.g., selling or mortgaging), unanimity is mandatory.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Example: three friends buy an apartment for \u20ac900,000. Pierre contributes 50%, Marie 30%, and Paul 20%. If the apartment generates \u20ac3,000 in monthly rent, Pierre will receive \u20ac1,500, Marie \u20ac900, and Paul \u20ac600. But if the roof leaks and repairs cost \u20ac10,000, Pierre can pay for the work and demand reimbursement of each co-owner\u2019s share.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>What are the advantages and risks of joint ownership?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Joint ownership appeals for its <\/span><b>simplicity<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. No company to form, no specific accounting, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/staging.consultants-immobilier.com\/en\/sellers-guides\/notary-fees\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">notary fees<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> identical to a standard purchase. For tax purposes, each person declares their share of income or capital gain.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, beware of the main pitfall under Article 815 of the Civil Code, which states that no one can be forced to remain in joint ownership. Any co-owner can request a sale at any time. If your ex-partner demands their share or your sibling needs cash, the judge may order a <\/span><b>public auction if no agreement is reached<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another risk: a co-owner\u2019s creditors can seize their share and trigger a forced sale. And daily management can become difficult if relationships deteriorate.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>How to secure a joint property purchase?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To prevent issues, it\u2019s advisable to sign a <\/span><b>joint ownership agreement before a notary<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This contract defines how the property is managed: duration (maximum five years), expense sharing, and preemption rights between co-owners. Cost: between \u20ac500 and \u20ac1,500 depending on complexity.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/staging.consultants-immobilier.com\/en\/sellers-guides\/the-stages-of-the-sale\/preliminary-sales-agreement-definition-steps-and-obligations\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before the purchase agreement<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, consider including a preferential allocation clause \u2014 essential for protecting the surviving partner.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Also consider a cross life and disability insurance policy, so that in the event of a death, the loan is repaid, avoiding a forced sale.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>What\u2019s the difference between joint ownership and an SCI?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Joint ownership is suitable for simple, short-term projects. Beyond five years, it\u2019s better to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/staging.consultants-immobilier.com\/en\/buyers-guides\/buying-through-an-sci\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">buy through an SCI<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. An SCI costs more (\u20ac1,500 to \u20ac3,000), requires bookkeeping, but offers unparalleled stability: no partner can force a sale.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For high-end real estate, an SCI is often the preferred structure. A family ch\u00e2teau or a private mansion passed down through generations deserves a lasting legal framework.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Joint ownership remains more appropriate for a young couple\u2019s apartment or a holiday home shared by siblings.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>How does joint ownership with usufruct work?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A <\/span><b>joint purchase with usufruct<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> combines two mechanisms. Typical case: parents buy property with their children but retain the usufruct. They live in or rent out the property (usufruct), while the children hold the asset\u2019s value (bare ownership).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Example: following a succession, the widow inherits the usufruct, and her three children inherit the bare ownership jointly. She can live in the property until her death, when the children gain full ownership. To <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/staging.consultants-immobilier.com\/en\/valuation-guides\/inheritance-valuation\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">value a property during an inheritance<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the notary applies the tax scale: at age 70, usufruct is valued at 30%, and bare ownership at 70%.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Is joint ownership the best choice for buying property?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Joint ownership is suitable in three situations: an unmarried couple buying a primary residence, close relatives investing in a rental property for three to five years, or a temporary post-inheritance arrangement. It\u2019s best avoided for groups larger than three people, those with prior conflicts, or complex projects involving major renovations.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To secure your joint real estate acquisition in the luxury market, <\/span><b>Consultants Immobilier<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and its network of 17 agencies advise you on the optimal legal structure and connect you with the best notaries specialized in wealth management.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/5&#8243; el_id=&#8221;summary_column&#8221;][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Joint property purchase simplifies buying real estate with others. Discover the advantages, risks, and key tips to secure your investment.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":13086,"parent":10853,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"single-guide.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-13084","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging.consultants-immobilier.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/13084","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging.consultants-immobilier.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging.consultants-immobilier.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging.consultants-immobilier.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging.consultants-immobilier.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13084"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/staging.consultants-immobilier.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/13084\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13089,"href":"https:\/\/staging.consultants-immobilier.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/13084\/revisions\/13089"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging.consultants-immobilier.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10853"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging.consultants-immobilier.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13086"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging.consultants-immobilier.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13084"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}