Selling a Property with Multiple Owners in Cape Town’s Northern Suburbs: What You Need to Know
Co-owning a home can be a smart move. It allows for shared responsibility when it comes to bond repayments, rates, maintenance, and all those unexpected repairs that come with homeownership. But when it’s time to sell, things can get tricky — especially if there’s conflict, divorce, or differing opinions on price, timing, or whether to sell at all.
Whether the property is in Durbanville, Brackenfell, or Kuils River, knowing your rights and obligations is key when multiple people share ownership. Let’s break down the main challenges — and how to navigate them smoothly.
Step 1: Know Exactly How the Title Is Held
Before any “For Sale” board goes up, it’s vital to confirm how the property is registered.
In South Africa, the most common forms of joint property ownership are:
- Joint Ownership (50/50 or equal shares)
- Tenants in Common (each owner has a defined share)
- Married in or out of community of property
- Inheritance via a deceased estate or trust
Your title deed and/or marriage contract will indicate the ownership structure. If you inherited the property, the executor of the estate will need to sign off on the sale. If it was bought jointly, then all registered owners must agree to sell and sign transfer documents.
In the case of “tenants in common”, each person owns a specific share. That share can be sold or transferred, but selling the entire property typically still requires agreement from everyone.
If the owners can’t agree, one party may apply to the High Court for an order to sell the property — but this is costly and time-consuming. Far better to find common ground early on.
Step 2: Get Everyone on the Same Page
Ideally, co-owners should have had a conversation when they bought or inherited the property about how to handle a future sale. But if that didn’t happen, it’s not too late.
Before contacting an estate agent, have an open discussion about:
- Selling price
- Timing of the sale
- Responsibility for repairs or touch-ups
- How the proceeds will be split
- What happens if one person wants to keep their share
You don’t need to be best friends — just aligned on the end goal. Putting everything in writing is a great idea, even if it’s informal.
A real estate agent with experience handling shared property sales can be a huge asset here. We’ve worked with everything from family homes to jointly inherited properties where four siblings all had different opinions. Trust us — it can be done.
Step 3: Watch Out for Legal and Financial Complications
Selling a home with multiple owners often brings legal complications. One person’s personal debt or judgement can affect the whole deal.
Common issues include:
- SARS tax liens
- Maintenance (child or spousal support) orders
- Unpaid municipal accounts or rates
- Bond arrears
- Title deed restrictions
If any of the owners have outstanding debt, creditors may have placed a lien or judgement against their share of the property. These must be cleared before the transfer can take place. In many cases, the proceeds from the sale will be used to settle those debts at the time of transfer, which could reduce what each person takes home.
That’s why working with a conveyancing attorney and a seasoned estate agent is essential in these situations.
Step 4: Consider Selling to an Investor
When emotions are high or timelines are tight, working with a traditional buyer can be difficult. That’s where an experienced property investor can help. Investors are often open to unconventional deals — like buying out one co-owner, renting back to another, or purchasing the property “as is” without repairs.
This can be particularly helpful in situations involving:
- Divorce settlements
- Inherited properties with multiple heirs
- Investment properties with long-standing tenant issues
- Properties that need major repairs before listing
By simplifying the process, an investor can help prevent disputes, speed up the timeline, and reduce the stress of a complex sale.
Final Word
Selling a home with multiple owners doesn’t have to be a headache — but it does take planning, communication, and the right professional support.
Whether you’re part of a joint ownership agreement, going through a divorce, or selling a family home passed down through generations, we can help you navigate the process and get the best possible outcome.
📞 Contact Team Pieter Kotze @ RE/MAX Property Associates today at +27832601932 / +27829540874 — we specialise in complex property transactions across the Northern