Tenancy in common is the ownership of real property by two or more co-owners (tenants in common) who may have equal or unequal ownership interests in the property (unlike joint tenants who must own equal shares).

Tenants in common (TIC) can transfer (bequeath or devise) their ownership interests to anyone upon their death, as there is no right of survivorship among tenants in common (there is a right of survivorship among joint tenants).

Unless the transfer or conveyance documents clearly establish that parties own a piece of real property as joint tenants, the default nature of ownership of real property by multiple parties is as tenants in common.

Laws vary from state to state and in many states the law regarding ownership of real property as tenants in common or as joint tenants is located in the state’s statutes—although it may also be located in a state’s court opinions (common law or case law).

In Maryland, tenancy in common is a form of property co-ownership where two or more individuals hold an undivided interest in the property, but with separate and distinct shares. These shares can be equal or unequal. Unlike joint tenancy, there is no right of survivorship in a tenancy in common, meaning that upon the death of one tenant in common, their interest in the property does not automatically pass to the surviving co-owners but can be transferred to a beneficiary of the deceased's choosing through a will or trust. If the deed or other conveyance document does not specify the type of co-ownership, Maryland law presumes that the co-owners hold the property as tenants in common. This presumption can be altered by explicitly stating in the transfer document that the co-owners are to hold the property as joint tenants with the right of survivorship. Maryland's statutes and case law govern the specifics of tenancy in common and joint tenancy, and it is important for property co-owners to clearly state their intentions in the property's deed to ensure their ownership interests are protected and understood according to their wishes.