What is a requirement for individuals to hold real property as tenants in common?

To hold real property as tenants in common, individuals must hold undivided interests in the property. This means that each tenant in common has a right to the entire property, not a specific portion of it. Each owner's share can vary in size, meaning that they may hold unequal interests in the property. For instance, one owner might hold a 50% interest while another holds 25%, and a third holds 25%. However, all tenants share the same rights to possess and use the whole property.

This arrangement allows for flexibility in ownership percentages and is essential in distinguishing tenants in common from other forms of co-ownership, such as joint tenancy, which requires equal shares and specific rights of survivorship. The requirement for undivided interests fosters the idea that while ownership shares can differ, all tenants have equal rights to the property itself, embodying a shared ownership experience.