How to tell if bank accounts, shares, etc are held as joint tenants or tenants in common

However, almost always, joint bank accounts, building society accounts, stocks, shares and other joint assets (except houses and other properties) will be held as joint tenants.

It is very unlikely that they will be held as tenants in common.

Nevertheless, this should not be assumed. If in doubt:

1. For bank and building society accounts, contact the bank or building society in question. They should be able to advise.
2. For shares, contact the deceased’s broker (if any), or check for any documentation which directs that those shares are to be held as tenants in common. Jointly-owned shares – like any other joint asset – will be held as joint tenants by default, so if they are held as tenants in common there should be some form of documentation to say so.
3. For any other asset, check for documentation which states that the asset in question is held as tenants in common.

The distinction is important: see our guide “joint tenants and tenants in common: what’s the difference?”.