This form of property ownership in California allows multiple individuals to hold title to the same real estate. Each owner possesses an undivided interest in the property, meaning that no single owner has exclusive rights to any specific portion of the physical land or building. The ownership percentages can be equal or unequal, as specified in the deed. For example, three individuals could own a property with respective interests of 50%, 25%, and 25%.
A key benefit lies in the ability of each owner to sell, gift, or bequeath their individual share without the consent of the other owners. This provides flexibility and control over their asset. Historically, this arrangement has facilitated real estate investment amongst groups, enabling shared ownership in situations where individual purchase may be impractical. This type of ownership also offers estate planning advantages, allowing for the transfer of property interests according to each owner’s individual wishes, avoiding automatic survivorship.