Tenants in Common Agreement

Tenants in common agreement is used whenever there is common ownership of a real property. A person might opt for real estate investment with his siblings, friends or any other party. In any of these cases, such an agreement is a good option. This type of agreement is opted for in case of common ownership of a property. It describes how the property is owned and what is the responsibility of each owner. This is the best way to divide a property without any complications.

This type of agreement greatly reduces the problems of co-owners' rights. While the joint ownership can become complex and lead to many issues between the co-owners, this agreement is not complicated as it fully lists the rights of each tenant. This agreement does not necessarily mean that the co-owners will physically occupy the property. It also allows the co-owners to share the revenue by renting the property. Also, one of the co-owners can occupy the property and others might opt to stay elsewhere.

Tenants in Common

In the tenants in common structure, each co-owner has a definite share in the property. If there are two co-owners of a property, they might have equal share, or one could own a greater share than the other. In the tenancy in common structure, an individual owns an undivided fractional interest in his share, out of the entire property. Further, each co-tenant receives a separate deed and title insurance for his/her percentage interest in the property and has the same rights as that of a single owner.

Difference Between Joint Tenants and Tenants in Common

The primary difference between joint tenants and tenants in common, is the way in which the property rights continue in case of death of one of the co-owners. In a joint tenancy, if a co-owner dies, his share of the property is passed onto the remaining owners. In a tenancy in common, if a co-owner dies, his share is passed along according to his last will and testament. In case there is no will or testament of the deceased co-owner, then the share is passed according to the rules of the state.

This agreement gives the co-owners exclusive rights over the decision of passing their share of property after their death, and this is the main reason why tenancy in common is popularly used. So if you want to pass percentage property interest to someone else, other than the co-owner, after your death, then you must opt for this type of agreement.

What Does this Agreement Include?

• This type of agreement mainly states the percentage of ownership of each co-owner. Without this statement, all the co-owners will be considered to own equal share in the property. Generally, some might purchase a larger share of the property, while some might purchase a smaller share, and the separate ownership percentages need to be declared in writing.
• It includes agreed upon buy-out prices, when a buy-out can be refused and what rights the inheritors have over the property after death of one of the initial co-owners.
• This agreement also specifies whether one of the co-owners can modify the property. If yes, the agreement also states what financial obligations this will incur on all the owners.
• The tenancy in common agreement allows co-owners to sell or dispose their portion of the property, but not before first offering the fellow co-owners a chance to buy their interest. The manner of notification and acceptance of this offer is clearly stated and described in the agreement.
• This agreement includes the description of the financial obligations of each owner. This includes initial deposits and taxes. It also includes common area maintenance and other expenses.
• Property management includes common costs and utilities.
• Rules about the actual usage of the property by the co-owners including things like pets, noise levels, floor covering, etc., and responsibility of each co-owner for property maintenance.
• Apart from the aforementioned points, this agreement also includes details regarding dispute resolution, mortgage of the property, sale of property, right to lease, improvements and repairs, termination and signatures.

Tenants in common agreement needs to be written by a lawyer specializing in property or real estate. The tenants in common laws vary from state to state and country to country, so the person preparing such an agreement must be aware of the state laws. In case a provision mentioned in this agreement is in conflict with a tenants in common law, then the law supersedes it, more often than not. So before you sign this type of agreement, consult a lawyer to ensure that each and every part conforms to the laws of the respective state or country.