If one co-tenant leaves and stop paying for property how can the other tenant get title?

Full question:

Two persons bought an apartment in Miami, florida, they took a joint mortgage. One leaves and stop paying their share. The other person stas in apartment and keeps paying the mortage by herself for several years. Can she get the defulting person out of the property Tittle?

Answer:

About the only way to get title would be a conveyance from the co-tenant to you. Since you have made all of the payments you may have a claim for 1/2 from the co-tenant but the co-tenant may claim a setoff for the rental value that may or may not be allowed. To come up with a price you might try:

Market Value
Less Mortgage
Less 1/2 of Principal payments made on the mortgage
Less 1/2 of any taxes or maintenance paid

This would mean you paid the full payment on the mortgage but only get credit for the principal.

If you do not have the money to buy the co-tenant out you might try to refinance as part of the purchase from the co-tenant.
 

This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.

FAQs

No, a joint mortgage and joint ownership are not the same. A joint mortgage refers to a loan taken out by two or more individuals to purchase property, making them equally responsible for repayment. Joint ownership, on the other hand, means that two or more people hold title to the property, sharing rights and responsibilities regarding the property itself. It's possible to have a joint mortgage without joint ownership, and vice versa.