What term describes property held by only one owner?

The term that describes property held by only one owner is "in severalty." When property is owned in severalty, it means that a single individual has complete ownership rights to that property, with no shared interests or co-owners involved. This ownership structure allows the owner to make decisions about the property without the need for consent from others, including the ability to sell, lease, or alter the property as they see fit.

In contrast to severalty, joint tenancy involves multiple owners having equal rights to the property, with rights of survivorship. Tenancy in common also relates to multiple owners, but each party has a distinct share of the property that may not be equal, allowing for varying percentages of ownership. Lastly, a partnership generally refers to a business arrangement where partners share ownership and responsibilities, rather than individual ownership of real estate. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for grasping property ownership structures in real estate.