Company share title

Company share title is a form of property ownership where a company owns the building and land, and residents own shares in that company which give them the right to occupy a specific unit.

Why investors should care

It is rare in New Zealand and mostly found in older apartment buildings, particularly in Auckland and Wellington. It carries real disadvantages:

• Lending is difficult. Many banks decline company share title outright, or require much larger deposits. That limits your buyer pool at resale.
• You don't own real property — you own shares, with an occupation right. Different legal character entirely.
• The company constitution governs everything, including whether you can rent the unit out. Many prohibit or restrict letting.
• Selling can require company or other shareholders' approval.

Common misunderstanding

Cheap for a reason. Company share units often look like bargains against comparable unit title apartments. The discount reflects genuine restrictions on financing, letting and resale. If letting is prohibited, it is not an investment property at any price.

Read the constitution before anything else. It is the governing document, not the title.

Related terms

Last reviewed: 1 August 2026 · General information only, not legal advice.

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