Which form of co-ownership allows two or more people to hold title with equal rights of possession, not necessarily equal interests?

• A. Joint tenancy
• B. Tenancy by entireties
• C. Ownership in severalty
• D. Tenancy in common

Answer: (D)

Tenancy in common gives two or more people equal rights of possession to the property, while their fractional interests can be unequal. Each owner has an undivided right to use and occupy the entire property, regardless of their share. They may transfer or encumber their own interest without the others’ consent, and there is no right of survivorship—when an owner dies, their share passes to their heirs or beneficiaries. This setup differs from joint tenancy, which requires equal shares and includes survivorship, and from ownership in severalty (sole ownership) and tenancy by entireties (for married couples, with survivorship).