A deed to a lot in Greenacre is recorded. Two parties who are NOT married to each other are named as grantees. The deed does NOT mention any form of tenancy. How do the grantees hold title to the lot?
When two unmarried grantees receive title and the deed does not state a survivorship form or another specific tenancy, the default ownership form is tenancy in common. Each co-owner holds an undivided interest that can be conveyed, devised, or inherited separately. Tenancy by the entireties is only available to married spouses, so it cannot apply here. Joint tenancy requires survivorship language or a clear expression of that intent; it is not presumed merely because two people are named as grantees. Tenancy at sufferance is not an ownership estate; it describes a holdover occupancy situation. The Pennsylvania Title Insurance outline specifically tests joint ownership types, including tenants in common, joint tenancy, and tenancy by the entirety.
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