Create a bespoke document in minutes,聽or upload and review your own.
Get your first 2 documents free
Your data doesn't train Genie's AI
You keep IP ownership聽of your information
Co-Ownership Agreement
I need a co-ownership agreement for a residential property shared between two parties, outlining the percentage of ownership, responsibilities for maintenance costs, and procedures for selling or transferring ownership. The agreement should also include a dispute resolution mechanism and specify the use of common areas.
What is a Co-Ownership Agreement?
A Co-Ownership Agreement sets out the rights and responsibilities of multiple owners who share property or assets in Switzerland. It's commonly used when family members inherit a chalet together, business partners own commercial real estate, or couples purchase a home without being married. Under Swiss civil law, this agreement helps prevent disputes by clearly defining each owner's share and decision-making powers.
The agreement typically covers crucial details like maintenance costs, usage schedules, rules for selling shares, and how to handle major decisions. For example, it might specify that renovations over 10,000 CHF need unanimous approval, or establish a rotating schedule for using a vacation property. This legally binding document protects everyone's interests and makes shared ownership much smoother to manage.
When should you use a Co-Ownership Agreement?
Get a Co-Ownership Agreement in place before sharing ownership of any significant property in Switzerland. This is especially important when buying a home with a partner outside marriage, inheriting property with siblings, or investing in real estate with business partners. The right time is always before the purchase or inheritance transfer happens - waiting until problems arise makes resolution much harder.
Time-sensitive situations also demand quick action. For example, when converting a rental property to condominiums, Swiss law requires clear ownership structures. The same applies when multiple parties invest in commercial buildings or when family members need to formalize sharing arrangements for holiday homes. Having this agreement ready helps avoid costly legal disputes and protects everyone's financial interests.
What are the different types of Co-Ownership Agreement?
- Basic Property Co-Ownership: Used for shared residential properties, defining ownership percentages, maintenance responsibilities, and usage rights among family members or unmarried couples
- Commercial Real Estate Co-Ownership: Focuses on business properties, including profit sharing, management decisions, and exit strategies for multiple investors
- Holiday Home Agreement: Tailored for vacation properties, covering seasonal usage schedules, cost sharing, and guest policies
- Inheritance-Based Co-Ownership: Specifically structured for inherited properties under Swiss succession law, addressing multiple heirs' rights and responsibilities
- Condominium Co-Ownership: Details shared facility management, building maintenance funds, and voting rights in multi-unit properties under Swiss property law
Who should typically use a Co-Ownership Agreement?
- Property Co-Owners: The primary parties who sign and are bound by the agreement, including family members, business partners, or unmarried couples sharing ownership rights
- Real Estate Lawyers: Draft and review agreements to ensure compliance with Swiss property law and protect clients' interests
- Notaries: Authenticate Co-Ownership Agreements and handle official property registration with cantonal authorities
- Property Managers: Execute day-to-day responsibilities outlined in the agreement for shared properties
- Financial Institutions: Reference these agreements when providing mortgages or loans secured against co-owned properties
- Tax Authorities: Use these agreements to determine ownership shares for property tax assessments and inheritance matters
How do you write a Co-Ownership Agreement?
- Property Details: Gather exact property descriptions, cadastral numbers, and current market value from official Swiss land registry records
- Ownership Structure: Define each co-owner's exact percentage share and financial contribution amounts
- Usage Rights: Document specific arrangements for property use, including schedules and access rules
- Financial Obligations: List maintenance costs, insurance requirements, and how expenses will be shared
- Decision-Making Process: Outline voting rights and approval thresholds for major decisions
- Exit Strategy: Include clear procedures for selling shares or terminating the agreement
- Legal Review: Our platform generates compliant agreements, but consider local cantonal requirements for notarization
What should be included in a Co-Ownership Agreement?
- Party Identification: Full legal names, addresses, and contact details of all co-owners
- Property Description: Detailed specification of the property including cadastral number and location
- Ownership Shares: Precise percentage or fractional ownership division among parties
- Usage Rights: Clear terms for property access, scheduling, and permitted uses
- Financial Terms: Cost allocation, maintenance responsibilities, and payment procedures
- Decision Protocol: Required majorities for different types of decisions
- Transfer Rights: Rules for selling or transferring ownership shares
- Dispute Resolution: Swiss mediation and arbitration procedures
- Governing Law: Reference to applicable Swiss civil code provisions
What's the difference between a Co-Ownership Agreement and an Ownership Agreement?
A Co-Ownership Agreement differs significantly from an Ownership Agreement in several key aspects under Swiss law. While both deal with property rights, their scope and application serve distinct purposes.
- Number of Parties: Co-Ownership Agreements specifically govern relationships between multiple owners sharing one property, while Ownership Agreements typically involve single-party ownership transfers or declarations
- Legal Structure: Co-Ownership Agreements create a framework for shared decision-making and cost sharing, whereas Ownership Agreements focus on establishing or transferring complete property rights
- Usage Rights: Co-Ownership Agreements detail specific arrangements for shared usage and scheduling, while Ownership Agreements grant full and unrestricted use to a single owner
- Financial Obligations: Co-Ownership Agreements distribute costs among multiple parties, but Ownership Agreements assign all financial responsibilities to one owner
- Exit Provisions: Co-Ownership Agreements need complex mechanisms for handling ownership changes, while Ownership Agreements typically require simpler transfer procedures
Download our whitepaper on the future of AI in Legal
骋别苍颈别鈥檚 Security Promise
Genie is the safest place to draft. Here鈥檚 how we prioritise your privacy and security.
Your documents are private:
We do not train on your data; 骋别苍颈别鈥檚 AI improves independently
All data stored on Genie is private to your organisation
Your documents are protected:
Your documents are protected by ultra-secure 256-bit encryption
Our bank-grade security infrastructure undergoes regular external audits
We are ISO27001 certified, so your data is secure
Organizational security
You retain IP ownership of your documents
You have full control over your data and who gets to see it
Innovation in privacy:
Genie partnered with the Computational Privacy Department at Imperial College London
Together, we ran a 拢1 million research project on privacy and anonymity in legal contracts
Want to know more?
Visit our for more details and real-time security updates.
Read our Privacy Policy.