When co-tenants own personal property, in common or jointly, one of the co-owners cannot by sale of the thing so owned rightfully transfer the title of his co-owner, unless of course in the case where the co-owner joins with him in the sale. Where one co-owner under claim of exclusive ownership to the property attempts to sell the entire interest in the goods, it is the general holding of most courts to treat such a sale as a conversion, and to hold the seller liable to the aggrieved party in an action in trover.

Some courts give the co-tenant in the property the election either of treating the sale as valid, and of seeking his remedy against the co-tenant selling the goods, or of repudiating the sale, and of continuing in his right to the property as a co-tenant, even as against a bona fide purchaser.15