freehold

3 synonyms and 1 antonym for freehold, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — Outright ownership of a property and the land it stands on, for an unlimited period and with no ground rent payable to a landlord.

Synonyms

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

fee simple outright ownership absolute ownership

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun chiefly British

Outright ownership of a property and the land it stands on, for an unlimited period and with no ground rent payable to a landlord.

“The house is sold freehold, so there is no lease to renew.”

fee simple outright ownership absolute ownership

Opposites

leasehold

2. adjective

Held or sold as an outright, unlimited ownership rather than under a lease.

“Freehold flats are unusual in England and Wales.”

Opposites

leasehold

How to use freehold

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

buy the freehold sold freehold freehold property share of freehold

A legal and estate-agency term used mainly in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. Scotland's system uses different terminology, and the American equivalent is fee simple.

Etymology

From free plus hold, translating the Anglo-Norman legal term for land held without obligation of service to a lord.

Full origin of freehold →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between freehold and leasehold?

With a freehold you own the property and its land indefinitely and are responsible for maintaining it. With a leasehold you own the right to occupy the property for a set number of years, usually pay ground rent and service charges, and the building and land revert to the freeholder when the lease expires.

Is freehold better than leasehold?

Generally yes for a house, because there are no lease terms, ground rent or diminishing value as a lease shortens. For a flat in a shared building some form of lease or commonhold arrangement is normal, since communal parts need collective management.

Can you buy the freehold on a leasehold property?

Often, yes. In England and Wales, leaseholders of houses and groups of flat owners have statutory rights to buy the freehold or extend the lease, subject to qualifying conditions. The process is called enfranchisement and usually needs a solicitor and a valuation.

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