Co-Applicant in a Home Loan – Eligibility, Rules, and Documents Explained

Buying a home is often one of life’s most rewarding milestones. But availing of a Home Loan often means carefully checking your eligibility, ability to repay, and overall financial profile. Many people who want to apply for a Home Loan decide to apply with a co-applicant in this situation. 

Choosing a co-applicant can affect your Home Loan application process. When you apply for a loan together, lenders look at your combined income and credit history. This can increase your chances of securing a higher Home Loan amount.  

Who is a Co-Borrower/Co-Applicant in a Home Loan?

An individual who applies for a Home Loan jointly with the primary applicant is known as a co-borrower or co-applicant. Co-applicants can be parents, siblings, or children.  

When you apply together, the lender looks at the combined income, credit score, and financial history of each applicant. This can increase your eligibility for a higher Home Loan amount.   

However, when you borrow together, you are both responsible. No matter how the EMI payment is split up, both the main applicant and the co-borrower are equally responsible for paying back the full amount of the loan.  

Joint Home Loan Eligibility – Who Can Be a Co-Applicant?

Eligibility for a joint Home Loan can vary from lender to lender, but in most cases, the following criteria are common:  

• Spouses are usually the most common co-applicants. 
• Parents or adult children who are immediate family members may also be able to apply. 
• Co-applicants don't always have to be co-owners of the property, but they can only get tax exemptions if they are. 
• People who are not related to each other (like friends or distant relatives) cannot be co-applicants. 
• A minor cannot be a co-applicant 

Also Read: Joint Home Loan in India 

Benefits of Adding a Co-Applicant on a Home Loan

Applying with a co-applicant, such as a spouse, can have multiple benefits: 

• Increased loan eligibility: When you apply for a Home Loan with a co-applicant, you may be able to secure a higher loan amount.  
• Shared financial responsibility: Both applicants are equally responsible for EMI payments.  
• Potential tax benefits: If both co-applicants are also co-owners of the property, they can each claim deductions on interest and principal repayment under different Sections of the Income Tax Act, 1961, such as Section 24(b) and Section 80C under the old tax regime.  

Documents Required for a Co-Applicant – What You Need to Submit 

When you add a co-applicant to your Home Loan application, lenders need proof of their identity, address, income, and job. A co-applicant could be a spouse, parent, or close family member. 

Usually, co-applicants need to submit the following documents: 

• PAN Card or Form 60 (mandatory) 
• Proof of identity and address (such as Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, or Driving Licence) 
• Recent passport-sized photographs 
• Income proof (salary slips/ITR/bank statements, depending on profile) 
• Property-related documents (title deed, allotment letter, tax receipts) 

Note: This list is indicative. 

Joint Home Loan – Shared Responsibility and Important Considerations

A joint Home Loan means shared financial responsibility. It’s important to know that:  

• All co-applicants are equally responsible for repaying the loan 
• If one of the co-applicants has a lower credit score, the loan terms may change  

Also Read: Guide on the Benefits of Joint Home Loan 

Tax Benefits of Joint Home Loans

Joint Home Loans can also offer additional tax advantages when both co-applicants are also co-owners of the property. Under the old tax regime, co-applicants can claim the following benefits, provided they meet the required conditions:  

• Each co-applicant can claim interest deductions under Section 24(b) of up to Rs.2 Lakh per year (separately) 
• Under Section 80C, each co-applicant can claim deductions for paying back the principal up to Rs.1.5 Lakh per year. 
• First-time homebuyers may be able to get extra deductions under Section 80EE, but only if certain conditions are met. 

Adding a co-applicant to your Home Loan application is a good way to make yourself more likely to be approved and get a bigger loan. Before you decide to add a co-applicant to your Home Loan, it is a good idea to know the requirements for eligibility, the shared responsibilities, and the possible benefits.