What is one characteristic of tenants in common?

Tenants in common is a form of property ownership where each owner holds a distinct share of the property, which is characterized by separate ownership interests. This means that each tenant in common has the right to sell or transfer their own share without needing consent from the other co-owners. This form of ownership does not require equal ownership shares; for example, one tenant could own 70% of the property while another owns 30%.

In contrast to other forms of co-ownership, such as joint tenancy, tenants in common do not have the right of survivorship. This means that when one co-owner dies, their share does not automatically pass to the surviving tenants; instead, it becomes part of the deceased owner's estate, which can be inherited by someone else. The need for fewer than two owners also sets this form apart from others.

Therefore, the distinctive feature of tenants in common being separate ownership interests is central to understanding how this type of property co-ownership functions.