"Tenants in Common" is a legal term used in property ownership where multiple people share equal ownership of a property. The spelling of this phrase can be broken down using IPA phonetic transcription as /ˈtɛnənts ɪn ˈkɒmən/. The stress falls on the first syllable of both "tenants" and "common." The first word is pronounced with the short "e" sound, while the second word uses the open "o" sound. It is important to note the spelling of this term as it may impact legal ownership rights.
Tenants in common refers to a type of joint ownership arrangement where two or more individuals own equal or unequal shares of a property. In this arrangement, each owner holds a distinct, undivided interest in the property, which can be either equal or different in size, but there is no right of survivorship. This means that upon the death of one tenant in common, their share of the property does not automatically pass to the remaining owners but instead becomes part of their estate to be distributed according to their will or local intestacy laws.
Unlike joint tenancy, tenants in common do not have to acquire their interest in the property at the same time or through the same deed. Each owner has the freedom to transfer or sell their share without the consent of the other owners. Furthermore, tenants in common have the right to use and occupy the entire property, regardless if their ownership stake is equal or unequal. However, they also have a duty to contribute proportionately towards property expenses, such as taxes, insurance, and maintenance costs.
Tenants in common can be beneficial for individuals who wish to invest in real estate or other assets together while maintaining separate ownership interests. It allows for flexibility in transferring ownership and distributing assets upon death, making it a popular choice for business partners, friends, or family members who want to pool their resources together.