Leasehold vs Freehold Explained

Freehold

You own the building and normally the land beneath it, subject to registered rights and covenants.

Leasehold

You hold a lease for a term of years from a landlord. You pay ground rent where applicable and service charges for shared parts.

Flats

Most flats are leasehold; some carry a share of freehold structure. Read the actual documents, not the advert shorthand.

Buyer priorities

Remaining term, ground rent trajectory, service charge history, major works, and building safety where relevant.

Record-keeping

Store the lease and key correspondence in your Property Passport if you own the home.

Next steps on Property Passport UK

Run the address through [Property Search](/search), then explore the [Property Guides library](/guides). When you own or manage the home, [claim your Property Passport](/claim/start) and add Documents with dates and sources so permitted Stakeholders see a single coherent record.