Singapore Property Joint Ownership | Detailed Guide!

Singapore is a vibrant city-state with a thriving real estate industry. One of the most popular ways of acquiring property in Singapore is through joint ownership. Joint ownership, also known as co-ownership, allows two or more people to own a property together with each other. Whether you are considering joint ownership with a partner, family member, or friend, this blog post will provide you with useful insights on how joint ownership works, the benefits and drawbacks of joint ownership, and what you need to bear in mind to ensure a smooth and hassle-free co-ownership experience.

Introduction to Joint Tenancy and Tenancy-in-Common in Singapore Property

For anyone looking to buy or own property in Singapore, it’s important to understand the different ways of holding property. There are two types of co-ownership: joint tenancy and tenancy-in-common. In joint tenancy, each co-owner has 100% ownership of the property and there are no separate shares. Meanwhile, in tenancy-in-common, co-owners have definite and separate shares in the property. This means you can decide on how much of the property each co-owner would own.

One of the main differences between the two is the right of survivorship. In joint tenancy, if one co-owner passes away, the surviving co-owner automatically takes sole ownership of the entire property. On the other hand, in tenancy-in-common, the deceased co-owner’s share would go to their estate, and the surviving co-owner would only be entitled to their own share. Another consideration is the ease of decoupling, which means removing one spouse from the ownership of the first property to avoid paying additional buyer’s stamp duty on the second property.

It’s important to determine the type of co-ownership you prefer before purchasing or transferring ownership of the property. This decision should also be reflected in the Singapore Land Authority’s registry. Lastly, if you want to change the manner of holding of your property but other co-owners disagree, you can seek the assistance of a mediator or go through a court proceeding. 

What is Joint Tenancy in Singapore Property

Joint tenancy is one of the ways to hold property in Singapore. In joint tenancy, each co-owner has an equal share in the property without having distinct shares. This means that if two people own a property in joint tenancy, both individuals own 100% of the property and are regarded as wholly entitled to the property. The main feature of joint tenancy is the right of survivorship – when one co-owner dies, the surviving co-owner automatically takes sole ownership of the whole property. This is regardless of whether the deceased joint owner has left behind a will stating who the property should go to after their death. It’s important to note that neither co-owner can dispose of their interest by will in joint tenancy. It’s a common mode of ownership between close family members or relatives.

In joint tenancy, the right of survivorship applies, meaning that the surviving co-owner takes sole ownership of the whole property upon the death of one co-owner. This is a significant advantage as it ensures the smooth transfer of ownership without the need for probate. Joint tenancy may be a good option for those who want to ensure their co-owner inherits the property without any disputes in the event of their death. However, joint tenancy may not be suitable for those who want to leave their portion of the property to someone other than the surviving co-owner. It’s essential to weigh the pros and cons of both joint tenancy and tenancy-in-common before deciding on how to hold the property with a co-owner. 

What is Tenancy-in-Common in Singapore Property

When two or more people own a piece of property in Singapore, they can choose to hold it in the manner of tenancy-in-common. In this form of co-ownership, each co-owner has an “undivided share” of the property, which is clearly specified in the title deed. Even though the property remains undivided physically, each co-owner can identify their specific share of the property. 

This offers greater flexibility, as co-owners can purchase high-value properties together and hold the investment based on their share. In the event of a co-owner’s passing, their ownership in the property will be transferred to their beneficiaries based on their will or Intestate Succession Act. Tenancy-in-common is a suitable form of ownership for unrelated parties engaging in crowdfunding or shared financing of properties.

When considering tenancy-in-common, it’s important to note that co-owners do not have the right of survivorship. This means that in the event of a co-owner’s death, their share of the property will go to their beneficiaries, while the remaining co-owners’ ownership will remain unchanged. Each co-owner in tenancy-in-common also has the right to possession of the entire property, so no one can be excluded or sued for trespass. While tenancy-in-common offers greater flexibility, it’s essential for co-owners to have clear agreements and understand the responsibilities and liabilities that come with co-owning a property. 

Joint Tenancy vs Tenancy-in-Common: Pros and Cons

Joint Tenancy Pros	Joint Tenancy Cons
– Ensures continuity of ownership	– No flexibility in terms of shares
– Co-owners each own the whole interest in the property	– In case of dispute, it can be difficult to sell or transfer ownership
– Ownership is simple and straightforward	– Less suitable for co-owners with different investments in the property
– Suitable for close relationships where co-owners want to ensure the property remains in the family	– Limited control over how the property is disposed of after death

Tenancy-in-Common Pros	Tenancy-in-Common Cons
– Offers more flexibility in terms of shares	– No right of survivorship, meaning estate distribution can be complex
– Each co-owner has control over their percentage of ownership	– In case of dispute, it can be difficult to sell or transfer ownership
– Easy transfer of ownership to beneficiaries	– Requires a more detailed agreement between co-owners to avoid misunderstanding about property rights
– Allows for unrelated parties to invest in the same property, e.g. crowd-funding scenarios	– Each co-owner has less control over the overall ownership of the property

Joint tenancy and tenancy-in-common are two ways to co-own a property in Singapore. Joint tenancy means that co-owners each own the whole interest in the property, with no separate shares. This allows for the right of survivorship, meaning if one co-owner dies, the surviving tenant takes sole ownership of the whole property. On the other hand, tenancy-in-common means that each tenant owns the same property in definite and separate shares, which can be unequal. In case of a co-owner’s death, their percentage share of the property goes to their estate and is distributed according to their will or the Intestate Succession Act.

The choice between joint tenancy and tenancy-in-common comes down to personal preference and the co-owners’ relationship. Joint tenancy is suitable for those who wish to ensure the survival of ownership in the event of a co-owner’s death. Tenancy-in-common offers more flexibility in terms of shares and allows for easy transfer of ownership to beneficiaries. It is also a good option for unrelated parties engaging in crowd-funding or shared financing of properties. Understanding the pros and cons of each co-ownership option will help you make an informed decision before registering your property with the Singapore Land Authority.

How to Check the Manner of Holding of Your Property

When it comes to property ownership in Singapore, it’s important to understand the Manner of Holding. This refers to how your ownership of a property is registered on title, and there are two key ownership options: joint tenancy and tenancy-in-common. Under joint tenancy, all owners have an equal interest and rights to the property, and their share automatically transfers to the other co-owners upon their demise. Tenancy-in-common, on the other hand, allows each owner to have a clear-cut share of the property and full autonomy over their cut. 

Their share is assigned according to their will or the Intestate Succession Act’s provisions upon their demise. So, how do you check the Manner of Holding of your property? You can easily do so by obtaining a copy of the property title from the Singapore Land Authority’s portal or by requesting it from your lawyer. It’s also important to note that changing the Manner of Holding has certain requirements, and it’s crucial for co-owners to understand each type of ownership fully before deciding which one to choose. 

The Right of Survivorship in Joint Tenancy

When holding property in joint tenancy, the right of survivorship applies. This means that if one co-owner dies, the surviving tenant automatically takes sole ownership of the whole property. This is regardless of whether the deceased joint owner has left behind a will stating who the property should go to after their death and whether or not they wish for the surviving joint tenant to inherit the property in the first place.

The right of survivorship allows for less complication in the distribution of the property after death. It is important to note, however, that the right of survivorship does not apply when holding property as tenants-in-common. This is because each tenant holds the property in separate and distinct shares. Should one of the property owners die, the surviving tenant will be entitled to only his or her percentage share in the property (which they already have). 

The portion owned by the deceased tenant will go to his or her estate and be distributed according to the will or (if the deceased tenant had not written a will) the Intestate Succession Act. If the deceased tenant was a Muslim, distribution of the estate will be governed by the Administration of Muslim Law Act. It is important to carefully consider the manner of holding when purchasing or transferring ownership of a property in Singapore. 

Ease of Decoupling in Tenancy-in-Common

Decoupling is an act of removing one spouse from the ownership of a property and transferring their share to the other spouse who will then be the sole owner. This can be done easily if the property is held in the manner of tenancy-in-common as the remaining owner can buy over the smaller percentage interest of the property. This is a common practice for private properties, as it enables homeowners to purchase a second property without paying or paying reduced Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD). 

However, it’s important to consider some factors before opting for the 99/1 split tenancy-in-common model. Firstly, during the purchase, the loan amount is derived from both owners’ income. In case of decoupling, the remaining owner must be able to take up a loan for the balance loan amount, or the excess amount will be paid in cash or CPF monies. Secondly, the amount of CPF monies used by the exiting party greatly affects the split percentage. If the outgoing owner uses a considerable amount of CPF monies derived from down payments and monthly instalments to service the mortgage loan, the 99/1 split tenancy-in-common may not be feasible unless the remaining owner is prepared to pay a lump sum of cash. Therefore, it’s essential to weigh the pros and cons before choosing the manner of holding the property. 

Converting Joint Tenancy to Tenancy-in-Common and Vice Versa in Singapore Property

When purchasing or transferring ownership of a property in Singapore, it is important to decide on whether to hold the property in joint tenancy or tenancy-in-common. Joint tenancy means that co-owners individually own the whole interest in the property, while tenancy-in-common means that tenants own the same property in definite and separate shares. The decision on how to hold the property has implications for rights of survivorship and decoupling. It is possible to convert the manner of holding a property from joint tenancy to tenancy-in-common or vice versa. However, severance of a joint tenancy can only be to a tenancy-in-common in equal shares and tenants-in-common can only convert their holdings to joint tenancy if they are tenants-in-common in equal shares. The process of converting the manner of holding in the property includes registering an instrument of declaration at the Singapore Land Authority and obtaining the consent of any mortgagee bank. It is recommended to consult a solicitor for complex procedures and steps. HDB property owners can also seek assistance from the HDB for changing the manner of holding their property. 

Which Manner of Holding to Choose: Joint Tenancy or Tenancy-in-Common

When purchasing or owning property in Singapore, it is important to choose the manner of holding between joint tenancy and tenancy-in-common. In joint tenancy, co-owners individually own the entire property, and there are no separate shares. On the other hand, in tenancy-in-common, co-owners own the same property in distinct and separate shares, which does not have to be a 50-50 split.

One advantage of joint tenancy is the right of survivorship, where the surviving tenant automatically takes sole ownership of the property upon the other co-owner’s death. However, this does not apply to tenancy-in-common, where the surviving tenant is only entitled to their percentage share. Additionally, holding property as tenants-in-common can offer ease of decoupling, where one spouse can be removed from the ownership if a second property purchase is planned, allowing for reduced Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty. Remember to consult a conveyancing lawyer to discuss specifics and nuances of your case before making any decisions. 

Expert Real Estate Insights on Co-Ownership of Singapore Property

When it comes to buying a property in Singapore with someone else, there are a few things to keep in mind. One option is joint tenancy, where both parties own the property equally and in the event of one person’s death, the other person automatically inherits the property. The other option is tenancy-in-common, where each party has a separate and distinct share in the property.

It’s important to consider the purpose of the purchase and the relationship between the co-owners when deciding which form of co-ownership to choose. Joint tenancy may be more suitable for married couples purchasing a matrimonial home, while tenancy-in-common could be a more tax-efficient option for those planning to purchase more properties in the future. 

The rules governing co-ownership are determined by state laws, which vary depending on the state in which the property is located. Regardless of the form of co-ownership, it’s crucial to seek legal advice and ensure all agreements are properly documented to avoid any disputes down the line. Remember, co-ownership comes with joint responsibility for expenses, so it’s important to have a plan in place for how these costs will be shared. By keeping these factors in mind, co-ownership of a Singapore property can be a successful and rewarding investment.