Essential Co-Ownership — Real ownership. Zero excess.
Essential Co-Ownership, Introducing a new kind of co-ownership
At Co-OwnershipProperty.com, we’re proud to introduce Essential Co-Ownership — a cleaner, smarter approach to second-home ownership.
Each property is divided into four equal shares. Buyers own a genuine share of the freehold, through a dedicated company structure. There are no fixed monthly co-ownership management fees — only the actual running costs of the home are shared.
This is true property ownership, not a hotel-style service or timeshare. You manage the home like any private second home — but with costs and responsibilities fairly divided between two to four owners.
It’s the most transparent, efficient and flexible way to own a holiday home abroad.
To start with, what is co-ownership?
Co-ownership allows you to own a share of a high-quality property — usually one-fourth (¼) — giving you approximately three months of use per year. You can also purchase up to two shares, giving you up to six months of usage annually.
Unlike timeshare models, co-ownership means you hold legal ownership of the freehold through a specially formed company. You can resell your share at any time, just like any real estate investment.
The structure gives you real, tangible ownership, while sharing costs and avoiding the burden of owning a property you’ll only use part of the year.
What is and Where is Essential Co-Ownership available?
Essential Co-Ownership does not incur property management fees each month, unlike the traditional co-ownership system. You save between 100-300€ a month on average. The c0-owners just split the bills and tax to pay for the freehold property. After each stay, the owner pays individually for the end-of-stay cleaning and linen change.
We currently offer Essential Co-Ownership in two of the most sought-after destinations:
The French Alps
Ownership is usually structured via a Société Civile Immobilière (SCI) — a French company holding the freehold, with one to four shareholders.Southern Spain (Marbella and surrounding areas)
Here, a Spanish limited company is created for each property, also divided into four equal shares.
In both cases, the structure is legally sound, transparent, and fully compliant with local property law.
Usage: how much time do you get?
Each 1/4 share gives you about three months of annual use. Owners follow a fair usage calendar, usually on a rotational basis, defined in the company statutes.
If desired, you may also set aside a few days or a week for general maintenance — this is flexible and usually decided among the owners.
Most of our clients are international buyers — based in the UK, Northern Europe and the USA. On average, second-home owners only use their properties 3 to 4 weeks per year, so three months of personal usage is generous for most.
Also worth noting:
Non-residents of France or Spain are typically limited to six months of stay per year
For non-EU citizens, this is usually 90 days at a time, up to 180 days annually
Even EU citizens are required to become tax residents if they exceed six months of stay
That’s why owning 100% of a second home often makes little practical sense — you pay full price, but can only use part of the year.
With Essential Co-Ownership™, you pay for what you can actually use — and nothing more.
What about property management?
This is where Essential Co-Ownership is different from traditional co-ownership models.
Apartments
For apartments, most properties already fall under a formal owners’ association (syndicat de copropriété in France, comunidad de propietarios in Spain). These associations handle:
Maintenance of communal areas
Swimming pools, lifts, pathways, etc.
Shared insurance and basic services
Communal charges are already built into apartment ownership and shared between all owners — co-ownership or not.
Chalets
Standalone chalets may not be part of an owners’ association, unless they’re within a new development. In some cases, there are minor communal costs (e.g. snow clearing, private access road maintenance). These are typically modest — a few hundred euros per year per chalet.
With chalets, it’s also normal to budget for periodic external maintenance, such as:
Repainting or reapplying protective wood treatments
Usually required every five years, regardless of whether you own 25% or 100%
It’s also important to note: Essential Co-Ownership is not meant to replace or criticise traditional co-ownership models. Paying monthly co-ownership property management fees is absolutely valid, especially for buyers who prefer not to get involved in any of the responsibilities of managing a home. This new system is simply an alternative: a more streamlined, “bare” ownership structure that closely resembles the experience of owning a holiday home on your own. It’s ideal for those who feel comfortable managing the property themselves and want to keep costs to a minimum.
If that does not work for you, you always have the option of taking a property management company down the line.
Traditional co-ownership models: the difference
In standard co-ownership models, the property is usually managed by a third-party management company. Their role is to handle all aspects of day-to-day operations on behalf of the owners, including:
Paying utility bills and local taxes
Coordinating cleaning and linen service
Managing check-ins and check-outs
Resolving maintenance issues
Overseeing the owners’ usage calendar
The cost of this service typically ranges from €150 to €300 per month per share, depending on the property and the level of service.
That is for the property management only and does not include costs linked to the property like bills and tax.
Some high-end providers charge significantly more, but in our view, once monthly fees exceed this range, the model begins to resemble hotel or timeshare operations, undermining the core concept of co-ownership as freehold ownership shared fairly between private individuals.
Essential Co-Ownership is designed to keep things simple:
No fixed monthly management fees
Only real property costs are shared
Owners are free to self-manage or hire local help if they wish — but nothing is imposed
What about rentals?
Essential Co-Ownership is strictly for personal use.
The model is designed for private enjoyment between co-owners. There is no rental component and no short-term letting of owner weeks is permitted under this set-up.
This ensures the property is well cared for, wear and tear is kept to a minimum, and all co-owners share a common purpose: enjoying and preserving the home.
Can I sell my share?
Absolutely. Your share is a real, saleable asset.
You’re free to sell it at any time — either privately or through us. We assist in resale the same way we would with any property, providing marketing, legal coordination, and buyer support.