The highly anticipated Thursday Murder Club film based on Richard Osman’s bestselling novel explores a surprisingly relatable legal theme: co-ownership and its complications.
Of course, while murder mysteries may be rare, disputes about who owns what in property are far more common.
The film subtly weaves in the complex financial entanglements that arise when multiple people own property together. Whether it is former spouses, business partners, family members, or friends, joint ownership – and the disputes that can arise when things fall apart – are central to the plot of the film.
The real-world issue of co-ownership disputes
You do not need to live in the retirement village at Cooper’s Chase to find yourself caught up in a co-ownership dispute.
Many people enter into property ownership arrangements without fully understanding the practical implications. Common situations include:
- buying a property with a friend or partner without a declaration of trust
- inheriting a home jointly with siblings
- investing in property owned by someone else
- failing to update ownership structures after a relationship ends or a major life change.
Disputes often arise over:
- who owns what share
- who is entitled to live in the property
- what happens if one party wants to sell and the other does not
- disagreements over financial contributions, mortgage payments, and maintenance.
Sometimes the legal title (whose name is on the deeds) tells only part of the story. The real question is often about beneficial ownership – who has a financial stake in the property based on contributions, agreements, or promises.
The legal framework
When things go wrong, the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996 (“TOLATA”) is the legal framework used by the courts to resolve disputes.
The court has wide-ranging powers under TOLATA. It is able to:
- make declarations as to the shares owned by each co-owner
- order the sale of the property
- award compensation through ‘equitable accounting’ to reflect unequal contributions (see our previous article, Equitable accounting: getting a fair result upon relationship breakdown).
However, going to court can be time-consuming, costly and stressful. In many cases, mediation or negotiation can help resolve matters without the need for full litigation.
Lessons learnt from Cooper’s Chase
So, what does The Thursday Murder Club teach us, beyond how to catch a killer?
- Clarity is key. At the point of purchase, make sure there is a clear written agreement – such as a co-habitation agreement or declaration of trust – setting out ownership shares, contributions, and what should happen if things change.
- Keep arrangements up to date. Life moves on. Review and update ownership documents after major events such as separation, death, or one party paying off the mortgage.
- Seek advice early. Whether you are entering a co-ownership arrangement or trying to exit one, sound legal advice will help you to understand your rights and protect your interests.
Final thoughts
The Thursday Murder Club offers a light-hearted take on retirement living, while serving also as a gentle reminder of the very real issues that lie beneath the surface of jointly owned property.
Like the detectives at Cooper’s Chase, lawyers often have to piece together clues – Land Registry documents, bank statements, verbal agreements, historic paperwork – to solve the ‘mystery’ of who owns what. Unlike in crime fiction, the goal is not a dramatic reveal but avoiding uncertainty altogether.
If you are navigating a co-ownership dispute or thinking about purchasing a property jointly, it is wise to ensure you obtain the appropriate legal advice.
After all, it is far better to resolve things with legal clarity than to leave your fate to a group of amateur detectives – however charming they may be.
For further guidance on protecting your interest in a property or resolving property disputes, please contact a member of the home ownership disputes team.
Key Contacts
The content of this article is for general information only. It is not, and should not be taken as, legal advice. If you require any further information in relation to this article please contact the author in the first instance. Law covered as at October 2025.