What Is Tenancy in Common?

Also written as: TIC

Tenancy in common lets two or more people own a property together in unequal or equal shares, each free to sell or will their share independently — with no automatic right of survivorship to the other owners.

Most useful for: Homeowner · Real Estate Investor
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At a Glance
Tenancy in Common
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Definition
Plain-English meaning
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Related Terms
1 connected concept

Joint Tenancy vs. Tenancy in Common

Joint Tenancy

Equal ownership shares with automatic right of survivorship — a deceased owner's share passes directly to the surviving owners, bypassing probate.

Tenancy in Common

Ownership shares can be unequal, and each owner's share passes to their own heirs, not automatically to the other owners.

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This definition is provided for general educational purposes and is not financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. Verify important decisions with appropriately qualified professionals.

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