Definition

Noun: A person who shares a lease or rental agreement with one or more other people for the same property, with each having an equal right to use the entire property. A cotenant is a joint tenant or tenant in common.

Usage

A cotenant is a legal term used in property law. Each cotenant has a legal interest in the property. Their rights and responsibilities are defined by the lease or ownership agreement they share. - When signing a lease for an apartment with roommates, each roommate becomes a cotenant. - All cotenants are typically jointly and severally liable for the full rent amount.

Examples

• My sister and I are cotenants on the mortgage for our family home.
• The landlord required every cotenant to sign the rental agreement.
• If one cotenant violates the lease, all cotenants may face eviction.

Advanced Usage

• Tenancy in Common: A form of co-ownership where cotenants can own unequal shares and can sell or bequeath their share independently.
• Joint Tenancy: A form of co-ownership where cotenants have equal shares and the right of survivorship (a deceased tenant's share automatically passes to the surviving tenants).

Variants and Related Words

• Cotenancy (noun): The state or condition of being a cotenant; joint tenancy.
  • Their cotenancy was established through a formal legal agreement.

Synonyms

• Joint tenant
• Tenant in common
• Co-owner (specifically regarding ownership, not just leasing)
• Co-occupant

Antonyms

• Sole tenant
• Sole owner

Noun

1. one of two or more tenants holding title to the same property