Closings glossary

Proprietary lease

The occupancy lease a co-op corporation grants a shareholder for a specific unit. It is assigned at closing together with the stock certificate for the allocated shares.

What is a proprietary lease in a co-op?

Quick Answer

A proprietary lease is the lease that entitles a co-op shareholder to occupy a specific apartment, paired with the shares allocated to that unit. Together they are what actually transfers at a co-op closing, which is why a co-op purchase conveys personal property rather than real estate.

The full definition

The occupancy lease a co-op corporation grants a shareholder for a specific unit. It is assigned at closing together with the stock certificate for the allocated shares.

Where does proprietary lease come up in a New York City closing?

A Sunnyside co-op closing transfers 285 shares and the proprietary lease for apartment 4C, with no deed and nothing recorded in ACRIS.

What else should you read before closing?

In the glossary

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