noun

freehold

FREE-hohld

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Freehold (noun) means Outright ownership of a property and the land it stands on, for an unlimited period and with no ground rent payable to a landlord. Example: “The house is sold freehold, so there is no lease to renew.”

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."

"They eventually bought the freehold from the landlord for £14,000."

adjective

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

"Freehold flats are unusual in England and Wales."

"She was looking specifically for a freehold property."

How to use freehold

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishYou own the building and the ground under it, forever.

When to use it

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.

Memory tip

"Share of freehold" is a middle option: you hold a lease but also own a stake in the company that owns the building's freehold.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

leasehold → commonhold share of freehold

Common pairings

buy the freehold sold freehold freehold property share of freehold

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “freehold” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The house is sold _____, so there is no lease to renew.

Etymology

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

Origin: English

Synonyms

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fee simple outright ownership absolute ownership

Antonyms

leasehold

Related words

leasehold

Rhymes for freehold

behold household stranglehold

See all rhymes for 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.

What is the meaning of freehold?

"freehold" (noun) means outright ownership of a property and the land it stands on, for an unlimited period and with no ground rent payable to a landlord.

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