–<\/span><\/p>\nWhat is a Co-ownership Agreement?<\/h2>\n
A co-ownership agreement is an agreement between two or more co-owners of a property. The agreement governs the relationship and expectations of the co-owners in relation to the property. Co-owners can be individuals or corporations who intend to either occupy the property or hold it for investment purposes. Co-ownership agreements typically dictate terms relating to financing, property maintenance, and ownership interests. The contract will also outline each owner\u2019s rights and responsibilities. Co-ownership agreements can be drawn up and signed at the same time the property is purchased, immediately after it is purchased, or at any time thereafter. There are three main categories of co-ownership in Ontario: occupying co-ownership (where the co-owners occupy the property), non-occupying co-ownership (where the co-owners do not occupy the property, and instead, sell or rent it out as an investment), and hybrid co-ownership (when the property is owned by co-owners, but one resides at the property and the other is a passive investor).\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0–<\/span><\/p>\nRegardless of which co-ownership category you fall into, it\u2019s important to sign a co-ownership agreement any time you are in one of the following situations:\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0–<\/span><\/p>\n\n- <\/span>You are purchasing a property with family or friends for residential purposes;<\/li>\n
- <\/span>You are purchasing a property with one or more people for investment purposes;<\/li>\n
- <\/span>You are purchasing a property with a partner, with varying interests in the property; or,<\/li>\n
- <\/span>You are trying to establish mortgage repayment arrangements or refinance in an effort to split the responsibility for your mortgage among multiple people.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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\u201cA co-ownership agreement is an agreement between two or more co-owners of a property. The agreement governs the relationship and expectations of the co-owners in relation to the property.\u201d<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”21px” text_line_height=”1.6em” header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_font_size=”36px” header_2_line_height=”1.3em” header_3_font_size=”1.25rem” header_3_line_height=”1.88rem” header_4_font=”|700|||||||” header_4_font_size=”1.25rem” header_4_line_height=”1.88rem” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Why Do Co-owners Need an Agreement?<\/h2>\n
Co-owners need a co-ownership agreement to mitigate risk. Without an agreement in place, purchasing a property with another person, whether they are your spouse or business partner, can be incredibly risky. But with such an agreement, you can reduce conflict, promote fairness, and save money. It\u2019s a win-win for everyone involved.\u00a0<\/p>\n
–\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nCo-ownership agreements should be drawn up in all kinds of real estate ownership scenarios, regardless of whom you are buying the property with, whether you intend to occupy the property, or what kind of property it is (single or multi-unit). No matter if you are purchasing the property with your friend, family member, business partner, spouse, roommate, or an investor in your business, a co-ownership agreement needs to be prepared. In fact, co-ownership agreements are an excellent way of managing property ownership between spouses and can even be drawn up alongside marriage contracts. Other situations in which you might find a co-ownership agreement useful are as follows:\u00a0<\/p>\n
–\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n- <\/span>If you are preparing a will or conveyance by a trust to multiple people as co-owners;<\/li>\n
- <\/span>If a family property is being passed down to future generations;<\/li>\n
- <\/span>If you decide to invest in property with family or friends, whether for residential, investment or vacation purposes, such as a cottage or time share;<\/li>\n
- <\/span>If you and your business partner decide to purchase a property together for commercial or investment purposes;<\/li>\n
- <\/span>If, after a divorce, you and your ex-spouse choose to rent out your property rather than sell it.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Section” module_id=”sell-widget” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#f0faf4″ custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” da_popup_slug=”sell-widget” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_module=”300579″ global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_enable_color=”off” module_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_css_main_element=”margin: auto;” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/wahi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Realtors-Card.png” alt=”Find a Realtor for You” title_text=”Find a Realtor for You” src_tablet=”” src_phone=”https:\/\/wahi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Frame-7115-1.png” src_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_css_main_element=”margin: auto;” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”Poppins|700|||||||” header_line_height=”44px” header_2_font=”|700|||||||” header_2_font_size=”22px” header_2_line_height=”44px” max_width=”100%” max_width_tablet=”” max_width_phone=”270px” max_width_last_edited=”on|phone” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”||10px||false|false” header_text_align_tablet=”” header_text_align_phone=”center” header_text_align_last_edited=”on|phone” header_font_size_tablet=”” header_font_size_phone=”30px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_css_main_element=”font-weight: 800 !important;” custom_css_free_form=”#sell-widget h1{|| font-weight: 700 !important;|| font-size: 30px;||}” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Find the Right REALTOR\u00ae for You<\/h2>\n
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Determining Whether a Co-ownership Agreement is Needed<\/b><\/h3>\n
To determine whether you should prepare a co-ownership agreement for a property you are about to purchase, consider whether the following details have been discussed. If most of the details below have not been discussed between you and your future co-owner, you should seriously consider preparing a formal co-ownership agreement. Discussion topics include:<\/p>\n
–\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n- <\/span>The planned contributions, as a percentage, of each co-owner toward the downpayment of the property;<\/li>\n
- <\/span>The financial contributions of each co-owner toward household capital expenditures, such as mortgage payments;<\/li>\n
- <\/span>Whether each co-owner\u2019s mortgage contributions will vary over time;<\/li>\n
- <\/span>How the co-owners will take title to the property (whether they will be joint tenants or tenants-in-common);<\/li>\n
- <\/span>Whether all co-owners will own an equal interest in the property;<\/li>\n
- <\/span>How a co-owner\u2019s ownership interest will be dissolved if they want to sell their interest or move out of the property.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#ffffff” custom_padding=”86px||3px|||” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||54px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text module_class=”BaseTitle” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”21px” text_line_height=”1.6em” header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_font_size=”36px” header_2_line_height=”1.3em” header_3_font_size=”1.25rem” header_3_line_height=”1.88rem” header_4_font=”|700|||||||” header_4_font_size=”1.25rem” header_4_line_height=”1.88rem” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_toggle title=”What should be in a co-ownership agreement?” closed_toggle_background_color=”#ffffff” icon_color=”#BC4E40″ toggle_icon=”C||divi||400″ use_icon_font_size=”on” icon_font_size=”32px” open_icon_color=”#BC4E40″ open_toggle_icon=”B||divi||400″ open_use_icon_font_size=”on” open_icon_font_size=”32px” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” title_text_color=”#000000″ title_level=”h2″ title_font=”|700|||||||” body_text_color=”#686e6e” body_line_height=”2em” custom_margin=”||3px|||” custom_padding=”||17px|||” border_width_all=”0px” border_width_top=”1px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Co-ownership agreements should include the following information: the apportionment of ownership interest, the apportionment of mortgage payment responsibilities, the individuals entitled to reside at the property and on what basis (full time, part time), whether title to the property will be taken as joint tenants or tenants-in-common, the manner in which the property is to be sold or disposed of, the apportionment of responsibility for property maintenance and repairs, and what happens in the event of death or bankruptcy of one of the co-owners.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”What is the difference between co-ownership and joint ownership?” closed_toggle_background_color=”#ffffff” icon_color=”#BC4E40″ toggle_icon=”C||divi||400″ use_icon_font_size=”on” icon_font_size=”32px” open_icon_color=”#BC4E40″ open_toggle_icon=”B||divi||400″ open_use_icon_font_size=”on” open_icon_font_size=”32px” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” title_text_color=”#000000″ title_level=”h2″ title_font=”|700|||||||” body_text_color=”#686e6e” body_line_height=”2em” custom_margin=”||3px|||” custom_padding=”||17px|||” border_width_all=”0px” border_width_top=”1px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
When preparing a co-ownership agreement, the co-owners will need to decide whether they are joint tenants or tenants-in-common (these are the two main forms in which more than one person holds property in Ontario). In the case of joint ownership, the joint tenants or owners have identical, equal, and undivided interests in the property. In contrast, tenancy-in-common is when co-owners own a proportionate interest (written as a percentage) in the property, allowing for unequal ownership interests.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”What is a co-ownership rule?” closed_toggle_background_color=”#ffffff” icon_color=”#BC4E40″ toggle_icon=”C||divi||400″ use_icon_font_size=”on” icon_font_size=”32px” open_icon_color=”#BC4E40″ open_toggle_icon=”B||divi||400″ open_use_icon_font_size=”on” open_icon_font_size=”32px” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” title_text_color=”#000000″ title_level=”h2″ title_font=”|700|||||||” body_text_color=”#686e6e” body_line_height=”2em” custom_margin=”||3px|||” custom_padding=”||17px|||” border_width_all=”0px” border_width_top=”1px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
An example of a co-ownership rule is that a certain part of the property is a co-owner\u2019s private space versus a designated common space.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”What are the rights of co-owners of property?” closed_toggle_background_color=”#ffffff” icon_color=”#BC4E40″ toggle_icon=”C||divi||400″ use_icon_font_size=”on” icon_font_size=”32px” open_icon_color=”#BC4E40″ open_toggle_icon=”B||divi||400″ open_use_icon_font_size=”on” open_icon_font_size=”32px” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” title_text_color=”#000000″ title_level=”h2″ title_font=”|700|||||||” body_text_color=”#686e6e” body_line_height=”2em” custom_margin=”||3px|||” custom_padding=”||17px|||” border_width_all=”0px” border_width_top=”1px” border_width_bottom=”1px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
The rights of co-owners vary but should be outlined in the co-ownership agreement. Please note that since co-owners share ownership of a given property, they do not have the right to take unilateral action concerning the property.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”48px||48px||true|false” global_module=”2651″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blurb title=”Emily Southey” image=”https:\/\/wahi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Screen-Shot-2022-11-02-at-7.46.57-PM.png” icon_placement=”left” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_font_size=”24px” header_line_height=”1.2em” body_text_color=”#686E6E” body_line_height=”0em” width=”550px” max_width_tablet=”” max_width_phone=”” max_width_last_edited=”on|phone” module_alignment=”left” custom_padding=”2px||13px|||” header_font_size_tablet=”24px” header_font_size_phone=”20px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_line_height_tablet=”1.2em” header_line_height_phone=”1.4em” header_line_height_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_css_blurb_image=”width:64px;” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Wahi Writer<\/p>\n
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