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Joint tenancy or tenancy in common – considerations for inheritance and will-making

Joint tenancy and tenancy in common give different outcomes when an owner dies

Joint tenancy and tenancy in common are ways of owning property with others. Each works differently when an owner dies, see graphic below.  This impacts who will inherit the deceased owner’s share.  These graphics seek to highlight how each tenancy works.

Joint tenancy

In a joint tenancy, when one owner dies, the surviving one automatically owns the whole property.  This happens independently of any will (and probate) because of the right of survivorship attaching to this tenancy type.

Tenancy in common

In contrast, under a tenancy in common when an owner dies their share passes to who  they have chosen to give it to in their will.  If no will was left then it is disposed according to  the rules of intestacy.  So having a will is important with this tenancy so the owner can choose who they want to inherit their share.

Read more here on co-ownership, tenancy and their consequences on inheritance and making a will.

 

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Survivor inherits outside of a will or rules of intestacy.
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In this example two people (red) inherited half each of a share.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Land titles offices in each state and territory provide helpful explanations on the meaning of tenancy. 

For information on tenancy and land dealings in NSW visit the New South Wales Land Registry Services.

BHS Legal
4 May 2014, updated 8 August 2019.

Important notice: This article is intended for general interest and information only. It contains general information and is not specific to anyone’s personal circumstances. It is not legal advice nor should it be used as such. Always consult a legal practitioner for specialist legal advice specific to your needs and circumstances and rely upon that. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy at the time of writing applicable laws may change.

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