Housing Co-operatives

[Pefejoha]

Our house was apparently built in 1891 but there are several names on the deeds - does anybody know anything about the possibility of there being building or housing co-operatives at that time? What surprises me is that there is a Lord and a Reverend listed who appear to be not from the area. The house is a fairly humble mid-terrace on 3 floors. Can anybody with a knowledge of Victorian Housing history help please?

[Lil O'lady]

It may be that the posh bod was the owner of the land - it was for a time the practice for parcels of land to be sold for development as 'leasehold' ie posh bod's agent retained the right to levy ground rent. This was usually a pittance, even in those days.
Some of these have lapsed over the years as posh bods forgot to breed hence left no heirs, others have become a focus for propert sharks who hoik up the ground ents.

[Ethel]

Tontines are illegal now, but this could explain your situation.

A group of people would buy property between them, and the survivor takes the lot. A sort of gamble on who lives the longest