If anyone reading has played LOTRO this sounds alot like their housing communites. Maybe they borrowed some of the idea from that game. I really enjoyed the housing there though it's probably cheaper than it will be in ARR.
Speaking from what I know about housing in lotro, a kinship(free company) house was paid for by one person, and they had control over all the options and permissions. They decide if you can put in and take out furniture, trophies, gold etc etc.
Even though it's a kins house one person still owns it. I dont' know if that helps but eh.