They are going to buy a house – should they put it in his name or hers?
Question I intend to buy a building with six apartments to rent them out. Should I register it in my name or in the name of my wife, knowing that I will pay half of the money and my wife will pay the other half? I have no objection to putting the building in her…
Question
Praise be to Allah.
A man may give whatever he wants of his wealth to his wife,
and the wife may give whatever she wants of her wealth to her husband, as
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And give to the women (whom you marry) their Mahr
(obligatory bridal-money given by the husband to his wife at the time of
marriage) with a good heart; but if they, of their own good pleasure, remit
any part of it to you, take it, and enjoy it without fear of any harm (as
Allaah has made it lawful)”
[al-Nisa’ 4:4]
If you willingly give your half to your wife, and register
the building in her name, then she will be the sole owner of it.
If she willingly gives you her share, then register the
building in your name.
But if each of you wants to keep his or her own part, then
register it in both your names.
The point is that the registration should reflect the real
situation. That is what is best, so as to protect your rights and avoid
conflict.
If the building has to be registered in the name of one
person only, then the other partner may protect his or her rights by having
an official document that states that and is signed by witnesses.
May Allaah help us all to do that which He loves and which
pleases Him.
And Allaah knows best.
