Which ownership form requires unity of title, time, possession, and interest and includes the right of survivorship?

• A. Joint Tenancy
• B. Common Interest Ownership
• C. Time Share Ownership
• D. Life Estate

Answer: (A)

In a joint tenancy, all owners hold one undivided right to the whole property through four unities: unity of title (they acquire their interest by the same deed), unity of time (they acquire it at the same time), unity of interest (they have equal shares), and unity of possession (they all have rights to use the entire property). Because of the right of survivorship, when one owner dies, that deceased owner’s share automatically passes to the surviving owners, not to heirs or through a will. This means the number of owners can decrease only by a transfer to the survivors.

Other forms don’t fit because they don’t combine all four unities with survivorship. Common interest ownership (like condos) typically involves separate titles for units and shared ownership of common areas without survivorship. Time-share ownership focuses on the right to occupy for specific periods rather than equal future ownership with survivorship. A life estate grants use for someone’s life and then passes to a remainderman, and it does not provide survivorship among co-owners.