What are the four unities upon which common law joint tenancy is based?

The four unities that form the basis of common law joint tenancy are possession, title, interest, and time. Understanding each of these elements is crucial for grasping how joint tenancy functions.

Possession refers to the right of each joint tenant to possess and enjoy the entire property. This unity ensures that no individual joint tenant can claim exclusive possession of any part of the property, which aligns with the principle that all tenants have equal rights.

Title indicates that all joint tenants hold title to the property through the same legal document. This aspect reinforces the collective ownership of the property and signifies that the title must be drawn in favor of all joint tenants together.

Interest signifies that all joint tenants must have an equal share of the property. This unity ensures that no one tenant can have a larger or different interest when compared to others.

Time requires that all joint tenants acquire their interests simultaneously. This unity distinguishes joint tenancy from other forms of property ownership, such as tenancy in common, where interests can be gained at different times.

The combination of these four unities creates a right of survivorship, meaning that when one joint tenant passes away, their share automatically transfers to the surviving joint tenants, rather than to heirs or as part of a will. This feature is one of