Definition of "Joint tenancy"

A type of property coownership of two or more individuals to whom real property is deeded and who together have an undivided interest in it as a whole. There is only one title to the whole property. Upon the death of a joint tenant, that person's interest does not descend to his or her heirs or pass by will. Rather, the entire ownership remains in the surviving joint tenant(s). In other word, there is simply one less owner. A joint tenant can be in exclusive possession of the property or he or she can lease his or her interest to a third party without affecting the nature of the joint tenancy. Such lease will terminate upon the death of the lessor joint tenant, with the surviving joint tenants taking the interest thereon. generally, if a joint tenant dies, the survivors(s) obtain the property, also called joint tenancy with right of survivorship. For example, John and Victor are the joint tenants of a building. Each own one half of the whole building. Upon John's death, Victor will own the whole property, and vice versa.

image of a real estate dictionary page

Have a question or comment?

We're here to help.

*** Your email address will remain confidential.
 

 

Popular Real Estate Terms

The period when a financial debt, such as a mortgage, must paid. ...

Cash outlays required to maintain an investment position. ...

Significant information that if disclosed would affect an individual's decision. For example, a buyer would probably not enter into a contract with a seller of real property if it was known ...

Danger, hazard, risk, or peril. For example, jeopardizing a piece of property by pledging it as collateral for a loan. ...

Civil rights acts passed by the U.S. Congress includes those of 1866, 1870, 1871, 1875, 1964, and 1968. The first two acts gave blacks the rights to be treated as citizens in legal actions, ...

The definition of front foot is a person or an entity that has an advantage or has the initiative. It could also be used to suggest that someone is taking an offensive position. Based on ...

Lines determined by a government rectangular survey laying out a standard six-mile square area of land. ...

Major lease in a structure that controls subleases. An example is a landlord and attorney entering into a main lease for the third floor offices of building. This lease takes precedence ...

The closing process is the final step of a property sale. It starts when the home seller agrees to the home buyer’s offer and it ends after all Closing costs are paid ...

Popular Real Estate Questions