Tenants in common

A way for multiple people to co-own property, each with a separate share that can be sold or passed to heirs. Shares don't have to be equal.

Also called TIC · Investment terms · Updated September 2026

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Where this comes up: getting ready

This word belongs to the getting ready part of a sale. Here is what that part holds, in order.

Set up your closing teamDecide if you want an agent · Find out who runs closings here
Set your priceLook at what nearby homes sold for · Check some online values
Prep and photograph the homeClear out and put things away · Fresh paint and a deep clean
Gather details and disclosuresWrite down the basics · Note the land and what stays

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Part 1 of 4

Why a seller cares

Tenants in common each own a share, with no survivorship. Selling takes every owner's signature, and a deceased owner's share passes through their estate, which can mean probate before the sale.

Part 2 of 4

A simple example

You and two siblings own an inherited house as tenants in common. One sibling dies; their third goes to their heirs, and all of them sign at the sale.

Tenants in common: a simple example
The situation	What the sale takes
All co-owners living	Every owner's signature
One has died	Their estate's signature, after probate or an heirship affidavit
One will not sign	A partition action, which is a lawsuit

Tenants in common own separately and sell together. Every share has to come to the table.

Part 3 of 4

What people get wrong

That a majority of owners can sell. Every owner conveys their share, or a court does it for them.

Part 4 of 4 · where to read next

Where it appears in the sale

Getting ready to sellBefore you list · the stretch of the sale this word belongs to

What a definition is, and what it isn't

Keighbor is a software company, not a law firm, brokerage, or tax adviser. This is general information, not legal, tax, financial, or real estate advice about your sale. Your situation may differ. Before acting on a contract, disclosure, title, tax, or pricing question, ask an appropriately licensed professional in your state.

Written and researched by Keighbor Research · drawn from the reference glossary · how we research and check what we publish

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