Tenerife has no shortage of timeshare resorts.
And every now and then a family discovers they’ve inherited one… sometimes without even realising it existed in the first place.
Timeshares follow slightly different rules from normal property, so it’s worth understanding what you’re dealing with before making any decisions.
Does a Timeshare Pass Through Inheritance?
Yes.
A timeshare is treated as an asset, so it forms part of the estate and usually appears in the inheritance deed alongside property or bank accounts.
Once the inheritance is accepted, the membership transfers to the heirs.
Simple enough in theory.
Your Options as an Heir
If you inherit a timeshare, you normally have three options:
- Keep it and continue using it
- Transfer it to another family member
- Refuse it as part of the inheritance
Before deciding, it’s important to check the annual maintenance fees. Most timeshares come with ongoing costs, and those continue once the membership transfers.
Can You Sell a Timeshare?
Selling a timeshare is usually harder than selling normal property.
Demand is limited, and resale prices can vary quite a bit.
Some resorts offer resale assistance or occasional buy-back programmes, although this depends on the company managing the resort.
In many cases, families simply transfer the membership to someone who actually wants to use the weeks.
Check for Outstanding Fees
Before transferring or selling a timeshare, make sure all maintenance fees are up to date.
Any unpaid fees stay attached to the membership and can complicate the process later.
Not something you want to discover halfway through a transfer.
If You’re Unsure What to Do
If you’ve inherited a timeshare and aren’t sure what your options are, the easiest step is to contact the resort directly.
They can normally confirm:
- The membership details
- The annual maintenance fees
- Whether transfers or resales are allowed
Once you have that information, deciding what to do becomes much clearer.
Sometimes it’s worth keeping.
Sometimes it isn’t.
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