rp Flashcards
Default estate created by a conveyance to two or more people
A tenancy in common is the default estate created by a conveyance of real property to two or more people
Grantor need not use any type of explicit language to create a TIC
What does each TIC have
Each TIC has
- seperate but undivided interest in the property
- right to possess and enjoy the entire property; and
- the right to transfer their interest in the property freely during their lifetime or at death (no ROS)
Joint tenancy
A joint tenancy is a conveyance of real property to two or more people that is distinguished by a right of survivorship, whereby the surviving JTs automatically take the deceased T’s property interest
Can JTs pass their interest through intestate succession?
Because of ROS, joint tenants cannot pass their property interest by will or intestate succession
When is a JT created by a conveyance to two or more people?
A joint tenancy is created by a conveyance of real property to two or more people if the grantor
- makes a clear expression of intent to create a JT; AND
- uses survivorship language (“as joint tenants with ROS”)
Four unities for a JT
- Possession (each T must have equal right to posses and enjoy whole property)
- Interest (each T must have equal share of same type of interest)
- Time (JTs must receive interest at same time)
- Title (JTs must receive property interest in the same instrument of title
Severance of JT
If any of the four unities are severed, then the joint tenancy is terminated and the cotenants hold the property as TICs
Lien theory JDX
In a lien theory JDX, the mortgage is treated as a lien and does not terminate the JT
majority
Title theory
In a title theory JDX, the mortgage will terminate the joint tenancy, and the tenants will then hold the property as TICs
minority
Operating expenses between tenants
Operating expenses are divided based on the ownership interests of each cotenant. Operating expenses consist of necessary charges (taxes, mortgage payments)
Rent payments between cotenants
Rent payments received from a third party’s possession of the property, minus operating expenses, are divided based on the ownership interests of each cotenant
Repair costs between cotenants
Repair costs (even if necessary) are NOT divided between co Ts (no right to reimbursement)
HOWEVER, the cotenant who pays for repairs can get credit for repairs in a partition action
Ouster
Each coT has the right to possess all of the property, regardless of ownership share.
outster occurs if a co T denies another access to the property
What happens if ouster occurs
If this occurs, the ousted tenant can
- get an injunction granting access to the property; and/or
- recover damages for value of the use while ousted
Partition action
A partition action is an equitable remedy that is available unilaterally to joint tenants and TICs
Two types of partition actions
- partition in kind
- partition by sale
Partition in kind
A partition in kind physically divides the property into distinct portions. Courts have a preference for physical divisions of property over forced sales
Partition by sale
A partition by sale involves selling the property and dividing the proceeds from the sale among each co T based on their ownership interests
When will a court order a partition by sale
When a partition in kind is
- not practicable; or
- not fair to all parties
Types of leaseholds
The relationship between a landlord and T can create four types of possessory estates
1. tenancy for years
2. periodic tenancy
3. tenancy at will
4. tenancy at sufferance
What is a lease
A lease governs the relationship between a tenant and a landlord and contains the covenants of the parties
Tenancy for years
- A tenancy for years is an interest that lasts for a fixed and ascertainable amount of time
- if longer than one year, must satisfy SOF
- automatically terminates when term expires
Periodic tenancy
A periodic tenancy is a repetetive and ongoing interest that continues for a set period of time until it is terminated by proper notice from either party
proper notice for a periodic tenancy
proper notice requires the terminating party to give notice before the start of what will be the last term.
notice is effective on the last day of the term
Tenancy at will
- A tenancy at will continues until it is terminated by either party
- may be terminated at any time for any reason, even without notice
- if either party dies, it’s terminated