Chiang Mai Real Estate for Unmarried Couples — Joint Purchases and Rights You Must Know

Chiang Mai Real Estate for Unmarried Couples — Joint Purchases and Rights You Must Know

In an era where many couples live together or plan futures jointly without registering marriage, questions about joint property purchase arise increasingly often.

Thai Law and Property Purchase by Unregistered Couples

Can purchase jointly but without spousal legal status: Thai law permits two people to purchase property jointly with each owning the percentage specified in the title deed — but none of the special rights registered spouses have, including automatic inheritance rights

No automatic inheritance rights: If one party dies intestate, their share goes to their statutory heirs, not their partner

Ownership Structure Options

Option 1 (50-50 joint ownership): Simplest to execute, but requires additional agreement on how the property is handled if the relationship ends

Option 2 (Unequal proportions): If one contributes more financially, proportions can be specified in the title deed (e.g. 70-30)

Option 3 (Single name with private agreement): Higher risk without strong documentation

Pre-Purchase Requirements

1. Written co-investment agreement specifying: each party's proportion; monthly expense sharing (mortgage, common fee, maintenance); critically — what happens if they separate, if one dies, if one wants to sell first

2. Will specifying the partner receives their portion — because there are no automatic inheritance rights, a will is essential

3. Consider life insurance covering the loan amount — if one party dies, the full loan burden may fall on the survivor

For Foreign-Thai Couples

Foreign nationals cannot own land in Thailand but can hold Freehold condos within foreign quota. If buying a house with land, the land must be in the Thai partner's name only — creating complexity requiring careful planning

Most Concerning Scenario

If property is in one person's name and they separate, the other party may have no legal rights to the property, even if they contributed to the purchase — making clear documentation and agreements critically important.

MORE Value. MORE Trust. Always.
Contact us today for a free consultation:
Line: @morecm | www.morepropertycm.co.th
Aurakanya: +66 83-236-9428
Eknarin: +66 96-236-9745