Can A Title Deed Have Two Names In Kenya

Can A Title Deed Have Two Names In Kenya

Can A Title Deed Have Two Names In Kenya?

Yes, in Kenya, a title deed can have two or more names on it, indicating joint ownership of a property. When there are two names on a title deed, it signifies that there are joint owners of the property, and each person owns an equal share of the property.

The mortgage associated with the property does not necessarily need to include both names to be valid. Even if the mortgage lists only one of the owners, it does not affect the shared ownership of the property.

Co-tenancy, where multiple individuals have an interest in a piece of land with equal ownership rights, is a common form of land ownership in Kenya.

In Kenya, a title deed is an important legal document that proves ownership of a piece of land or property. A common question that arises is whether a title deed can have two names listed as the owners of the property.

Can A Title Deed Have Two Names In Kenya? The short answer is yes, a title deed in Kenya can contain two or more names as joint owners of the property.

Here is a detailed overview of joint ownership of property and how it works with regards to title deeds in Kenya:

What is Joint Ownership of Property?

Joint ownership refers to a situation where two or more people jointly own a single piece of real estate or property. The joint owners each possess an equal interest in the property and have equal rights over it. Some common examples of joint property ownership include:

• A married couple purchasing a home together and having both their names on the title deed.
• Business partners jointly buying an office building or piece of land for their company.
• Family members inheriting a property from a deceased relative and owning it together.
• Unmarried couples purchasing a house together and sharing ownership.

In Kenya, it is completely legal for a title deed to contain two or more names as the registered owners of the property. The only requirement is that the nature of joint ownership must be explicitly stated on the title deed document itself.

Types of Joint Ownership in Kenya

There are three main ways joint ownership of property can be structured in Kenya:

1. Joint Tenancy

This is the most common type of joint ownership. Under a joint tenancy, each of the joint owners has an equal, undivided interest in the entire property. The main feature of joint tenancy is the Right of Survivorship.

This means if one owner dies, their interest automatically gets transferred to the surviving owner(s). The property does not go through probate or inheritance laws.

2. Tenancy in Common

Under this arrangement, the joint owners each possess a fractional interest in the property. This interest does not have to be equal – it can be divided in any agreed upon ratio. Unlike joint tenancy, there is no Right of Survivorship.

If one owner dies, their interest in the property forms part of their estate and gets distributed through inheritance.

3. Community Property

This only applies to property owned jointly by a married couple. Everything acquired during the marriage is jointly owned 50/50 by the spouses. If the marriage ends in divorce, this property gets divided equally unless there is a prenuptial agreement that states otherwise.

How Joint Ownership Works on Title Deeds

For joint ownership, the title deed document will have a section that clearly states:

• The names of ALL joint owners
• The type of joint ownership – whether it is joint tenancy, tenancy in common or community property
• The percentages or ratio of interest each owner has in the property

All the joint owners need to provide their identification documents and signatures confirming they are the legal owners of the property.

Banks and financial institutions will also require all joint owners to sign and agree before any transactions like mortgages or transfers of the property can be done.

Benefits of Joint Ownership of Property

There are several potential benefits of having joint ownership of real estate:

• Shared Costs – Joint owners can split the costs like mortgage payments, taxes, maintenance etc. This makes owning property more affordable.
• Combined Resources – Joint owners can pool their incomes and resources together. This collective financial strength makes it easier to qualify for mortgages and loans.
• Shared Use – All the joint owners can simultaneously use and enjoy the property. For couples or families, this facilitates cohabitation.
• Continuity of Ownership – Joint tenancy ensures continuity of ownership through the Right of Survivorship. The property automatically passes to the surviving owners.
• Simplicity – Joint ownership simplifies estate planning. The property stays out of probate and legal battles during inheritance.

Potential Drawbacks of Joint Ownership

Some potential downsides to consider include:

• All owners are jointly liable for debts, lawsuits or damages related to the jointly owned property.
• Disagreements may arise between owners about property expenses, usage, rental income, repairs etc.
• Getting approval from all owners can be complicated for transactions like taking out mortgages or selling the property.
• Joint tenancy means owners cannot will their interest to someone else – it automatically transfers to the surviving owners.

In summary, Kenyan law allows for a title deed to contain two or more names as joint owners of a property. The type of joint ownership and each person’s share has to be clearly specified.

Joint ownership can make purchasing real estate more affordable but also comes with some risks like joint liability. Carefully weighing the pros and cons of joint ownership allows buyers to make informed property decisions.

Joint Tenancy and Tenancy in Common in Kenya

Can Land Be Jointly Owned By A Husband And Wife In Kenya?

Yes, land can be jointly owned by a husband and wife in Kenya. The Land Registration Act laws in Kenya provide that there can exist co-ownership and other relationships between spouses in terms of land.

Joint ownership of property such as land in Kenya is gaining momentum among couples. The law of survivorship in joint ownership of land under the Land Registration Act and the Matrimonial Property Act in Kenya provides that upon one of the joint tenant’s death, the surviving joint tenant is legally entitled to own the entire interest in the property.

Additionally, both spouses are entitled to a share of the profits or rents received from the property in the case of a disposition of the land.

However, joint ownership of land by spouses can have its limitations; neither of the spouses has the right to legally leave inheritance rights to the land to their children or loved ones at the time of their death

What Is The Difference Between Joint Tenancy And Tenancy In Common In Kenya?

Joint tenancy and tenancy in common are two forms of co-ownership recognized by Kenyan law. Here are the differences between the two:

Tenancy in Common

• Each tenant has a distinct, separate, and transferable share of the property, and their ownership rights are independent of each other.
• The tenants own the property as independent owners of land, but it may not be physically divided between the owners.
• When one of the tenants dies, the property becomes part of their estate and will be subject to a probate proceeding.
• Co-owners can have different ownership percentages.
• Co-owners can acquire their interests at different times.

Joint Tenancy

• Two or more people hold title to a real property jointly, with equal rights to enjoy the property during their lives.
• If one of the joint tenants dies, their rights of ownership will pass to the surviving tenant(s).
• The concept of undivided shares is effective in joint tenancy, which is also applied in succession matters relating to land or property registered as joint tenancy.
• The joint tenants own undivided interests in the property as a whole with each share being equal and no tenant owning a larger share of the same.
• The estates of the joint tenants are fixed and unalterable by any condition for exactly the same period of time (the tenant’s lifetime).
• The joint tenants hold their property under the same title.
• Joint tenancy creates a right of survivorship which means that if any one of the joint tenants dies, the remainder of the property is automatically transferred to the surviving owner.

Terminating Joint Tenancy and Tenancy in Common

• A joint tenancy can be broken if one of the co-owners transfers or sells their interest to another person, thus changing the ownership arrangement to a tenancy in common for all parties.
• A tenancy in common can be broken if one or more co-tenants buy out the others, the property is sold, and the co-owners split the revenues, or a partition action is brought, allowing an heir to the shares in the tenancy in common to sell their shares to the other co-owners. The other co-owners can convert the holding to a joint tenancy by a written instrument.

The main difference between joint tenancy and tenancy in common is that joint tenancy creates a right of survivorship, while tenancy in common does not.

Additionally, joint tenants must obtain equal shares of the property with the same deed, at the same time, while tenants in common can have different ownership percentages and can acquire their interests at different times.