The Review Autumn 2014 | Page 5

Buying Property Together A guide to buying property with someone else Do you want your share of the property to pass to the other owner in the event of your death? YES JOINT TENANTS ■■ As a joint tenant, you can only leave your share in the property to the co-owner. ■■ It makes no difference if a Will has been made. ■■ Each co-owner is deemed to own an equal share of the property, whether or not you have contributed towards its purchase price/mortgage or other payments. NO TENANTS IN COMMON IN EQUAL SHARES ■■ In this case, you can leave your share in the property to someone else. is important to draft a Will or else the rules of intestacy will be used to decide who inherits your share in the property. ■■ Each co-owner owns a separate and distinct portion of the value of the property. ■■ It But what if you plan to have unequal shares in a property you purchase with someone else? TENANTS IN COMMON IN UNEQUAL SHARES SUPPORTED BY A DECLARATION OF TRUST An increasingly popular option for first time buyers and co-owners who are not married. You may wish to consider this if one of you is paying more towards: the deposit, the cost of purchase, mortgage payment/outgoings or home improvements. You may also have been given money by a family member or want an option to buy your co-owner out. P4