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 Rhode Island, tenancy in common is a form of co-ownership where two or more individuals hold title to real property, with each possessing a divisible share that can be unequal. These shares can be freely transferred to others upon the owner's death, as there is no right of survivorship inherent in tenancy in common, unlike with joint tenancy where co-owners must have equal shares and the right of survivorship is present. If the deed or transfer document does not explicitly state that the co-owners are to hold the property as joint tenants, then the default assumption under Rhode Island law is that the property is held as tenants in common. This means that each tenant's interest in the property is distinct and can be bequeathed to heirs or designated beneficiaries. The specifics of tenancy in common in Rhode Island would be governed by state statutes and interpreted through case law, as applicable.