Which form of co-ownership includes survivorship and unity of possession, typically held by more than one person?

• A. Tenancy by the entirety
• B. Tenancy in common
• C. Tenancy in severalty
• D. Joint tenancy

Answer: (D)

Joint tenancy is the form that includes survivorship and unity of possession. In this arrangement, all owners hold equal interests acquired at the same time, by the same deed, and each has an undivided right to possess the entire property. The key feature is the right of survivorship: when one owner dies, that deceased owner’s share automatically passes to the remaining co-owners, not to the deceased’s heirs. This combination—survivorship plus unity of possession—is what distinguishes joint tenancy from other forms of co-ownership.

To contrast briefly: tenancy in common also involves unity of possession but lacks survivorship, so a deceased owner’s share goes to their heirs; tenancy by the entirety has survivorship too but is limited to married couples; tenancy in severalty is ownership by a single person.