Housing Tenure in the Philippines

It's a must to consider housing tenure when investing in real estate. The type of tenure determines the ownership of the occupants in particular housing unit. As settlers and inhabitants of the area, it informs you the extent of your legal status and duration of stay.

Tenure can be tricky as it varies by location, existing laws and, the nature of the structure. It also depends on mortgage terms, the economic and emotional connection between the unit and the household. Currently, there are four terms of tenure in the country. Some of them may apply in other housing locations.

Hybrid housing tenures are products of changing societal norms and community structures. They are a combination of the common types and other elements that affect dues, monitoring and stewardship.

The four common types of tenure are:

1. 1. Owned or being amortized
2. Rented 
3. Free settlement with the permission of the owner
4. Free settlement without the consent of the owner

When the settlers have the right to claim the housing unit, then they own the property. They have legal claims over the occupied are regardless if they are on mortgage or amortization. A house and lot for sale in Cavite, such as those in Vermosa, are examples of homeownership acquisition.

The next type of tenure is the rental. To utilize the unit, its occupants must pay rent in cash or kind. They have temporary claims on their settlement. Their right to occupy the area depends on a contract or drafted stipulation.

On the other hand, occupants may dwell in a location without payment. As long as they have the consent of the owner of the area, they may use it as their settlement. Rent-free houses and living quarters under private ownership can are examples of this tenure.

Contrast to these free housing units is makeshift houses and slums in various communities. Squatters and households with no permanent address who take over abandoned public and private properties are part of the fourth type of tenure. These residents settle on an area without the consent of an owner.

If you are investing in real estate properties, you use housing tenure as a guide to make decisions and sound judgment. Still, it's essential to consider other housing tenures. Non-profit organizations and the public sector came up with solutions to the widespread housing problem.

The remaining tenures target lack of housing units and decreasing land areas to develop. Examples of these are community land trusts, cooperative housing, mutual housing associations and government housing.

Cooperative housing, also known as limited equity co-ops, is synonymous with community land trusts. A legal entity such as a corporation or non-profit organization oversees and manages the residential buildings and complex. They are responsible for keeping the price of the units at an affordable price.

Entities are responsible for coop housing and community trust low to medium income households. Thus, shareholders of the development have the right to settle on a unit. They are similar to homeowners in this manner.

Mutual housing associations are prevalent in condominiums. Individuals have the right to own a housing unit. In this manner, they form a community of homeowners considering their joint ownership over the communal areas.

Last but not least, there are public settlements under the initiative of government housing agencies. Relocation homes and sites are examples of these. The public sector may partner with private entities and non-stock, non-profit organizations. The accommodations are free or offered as rentals at a low price.

A lot of communities have mixed types of housing tenures due to various economic and societal factors. Several influences determine the relationship of the housing unit to its owner. It's best to research the current housing tenures in an area before settling on a home.