What is Tenancy in Common?
A form of co-ownership where two or more parties hold undivided interests in a property, potentially in unequal shares, with each owner able to sell or.
Description
Tenancy in common (TIC) is a co-ownership structure where each owner holds a defined undivided percentage interest in a property. Unlike joint tenancy, there is no right of survivorship, each owner's share can be sold, transferred, or inherited independently.
Shares can be unequal (e.g., 60/40 or 70/20/10)
Each owner can sell or transfer their share without others' consent
No right of survivorship, shares pass to heirs
All owners have equal right to occupy the entire property
TIC structures underpin many direct ownership models. In a TIC arrangement, 10 investors could each own 10% of a Dubai Marina apartment. Each investor receives 10% of rental income and can sell their share independently. This is distinct from REIT structures (where investors hold fund units, not property shares).
How Oliva uses this
Oliva uses SPV-based structures that mirror TIC economics, investors hold proportional shares in a property-holding entity, receiving their share of rental income and capital appreciation upon exit.
How to interpret
Tenancy in common is a powerful co-ownership tool, particularly for investment properties where multiple parties contribute different capital amounts and want ownership proportional to their contribution. The ability to independently transfer one's share provides liquidity that joint tenancy does not.
The main risk in TIC arrangements is co-owner conflict. If one owner wants to sell and another does not, a forced sale (partition action) may be the only resolution, potentially at below-market prices under time pressure. Strong co-ownership agreements with buy-sell provisions, first right of refusal clauses, and dispute resolution mechanisms mitigate this risk.
Dubai market context
In Dubai, direct TIC registration on a single title deed is not standard practice at the DLD. Direct ownership is typically structured through SPVs (Special Purpose Vehicles) where the entity holds the title deed and investors hold shares in the entity. This achieves the same economic effect as TIC while working within the DLD's registration framework.
Frequently asked questions
A form of co-ownership where two or more parties hold undivided interests in a property, potentially in unequal shares, with each owner able to sell or bequeath their share independently.
Tenancy in common (TIC) is a co-ownership structure where each owner holds a defined undivided percentage interest in a property. Unlike joint tenancy, there is no right of survivorship, each owner's share can be sold, transferred, or inherited independently.
Tenancy in common is a powerful co-ownership tool, particularly for investment properties where multiple parties contribute different capital amounts and want ownership proportional to their contribution. The ability to independently transfer one's share provides liquidity that joint tenancy does not.
In Dubai, direct TIC registration on a single title deed is not standard practice at the DLD. Direct ownership is typically structured through SPVs (Special Purpose Vehicles) where the entity holds the title deed and investors hold shares in the entity.
Oliva uses SPV-based structures that mirror TIC economics, investors hold proportional shares in a property-holding entity, receiving their share of rental income and capital appreciation upon exit.
Each investor receives 10% of rental income and can sell their share independently. This is distinct from REIT structures (where investors hold fund units, not property shares).
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This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment, financial, legal, or tax advice. Yields, returns, and market data referenced are historical or estimated and are not guaranteed. Capital is at risk. Seek independent professional advice before making investment decisions. Oliva is a licensed Dubai real estate advisor (DLD Broker Card: 92025, RERA BRN: 1573501). Read our Key Risks Disclosure and Disclaimer.