What is meant by reversionary interest?

Reversionary interest refers to the future rights that a property owner retains after transferring the present interest in the property to another party. In essence, when an owner leases, sells, or otherwise transfers property, they may still maintain the right to reclaim ownership or usage of that property once certain conditions are met or after a specific period. This type of interest is often seen in leases or life estates, where the original owner has a reversionary interest once the lease expires or the life tenant passes away.

The other options do not capture the essence of reversionary interest. While ownership divided among several entities refers to shared property interests, it does not indicate a future claim by an original owner. Similarly, rights that allow for permanent ownership beyond one lifetime pertain more to fee simple estates and not specifically to reversion. Lastly, ownership that requires a financial investment describes the necessity of funds in property transactions but does not define the concept of reversionary interest, which pertains purely to the future rights retained by the grantor or previous owner of the property.