Buying guide

Alternative homeownership: Buying with family or friends

Homeownership might not be so far from reach.

6 June 2023

Gill South
AI

AI summary

Buying a home with friends or family is a popular way for Kiwis to enter the property market. This approach allows you to pool incomes and KiwiSaver funds, sharing both the deposit and ongoing costs like rates and insurance.

Key risks include being jointly liable for the entire mortgage and having linked credit records. A formal Property Sharing Agreement drafted by a lawyer is essential. This outlines all financial contributions, exit strategies, and dispute resolution. Ownership is typically structured as a "tenancy in common".

What you’ll learn:

Pros and cons of buying a house with friends or family

Initial questions to consider:

Tenancy in Common vs Joint Tenancy

Property Sharing Agreements

Not all banks will lend to a group of friends

Author

Gill South Gill South
Business and property journalist