Published 21 Oct 2019

Buy Sell

What is the Difference Between Leasehold and Freehold?

What is a Leasehold?

A leasehold makes you the owner of your property for the duration specified on your lease. When you buy a flat, you also become the owner of the lease on that flat; making you the leaseholder. Although, leases in the UK are usually issued for 125 years, if you're buying a property on the resale market your lease might be shorter. 
 
What is a 'short' lease?

If a lease has less than 80 years left, it is considered 'short' and might affect the value of your property and your ability to sell it. You may also have problems remortgaging a property with a short lease. As a leaseholder you have a legal right to extend your lease, although lease extensions become much pricier to buy the lower the years remaining on your lease. The standard length for a new lease in the UK is 125 years, but your lease might be considerably shorter if you've bought a second-hand property. 

If you are a leaseholder, your landlord - the freeholder - owns your lease. If you are unsure who the registered freeholder of your property is, you can check that by contacting the Land Registry.
 
Why are flats sold as leasehold?

Freehold includes the land that the property stands on. This is why apartments are usually sold as a leasehold. If you own one flat in a development that consists of six flats, you do not own the land that the flats are built on, this is why the apartments and leaves the responsibility for the upkeep of the whole building and the land it stands on to the freeholder.

What is a freehold?

If you are a freeholder you own your property and the land it stands on indefinitely. You don't have to pay annual ground rent and you can sell leases to people who want to occupy the property you own. This will make them leaseholders and you their landlord. You will be solely responsible for the maintenance of your property.

The freeholder is also entitled to make alterations to the property within legal and planning restrictions.

In the UK, houses are usually sold as a freehold while flats are normally sold as a leasehold.

If you are considering owning your dream home we’re here to help. Find a stunning selection of New Build or Resale Homes available through Shared Ownership.

Related articles...

Published 19 Oct 2021

Insurance - What do you need to consider when buying a home?

 We take a look at the types of protection that you should consider... when buying a home. Broadly speaking there are two types of protection to consider.  The first will protect the building and contents and the second protects the buyer against loss of income and in the worst-case scenario death.

Published 11 Oct 2021

4 Top tips for buying your first home in your 20s

 Are you starting to look for your first property as a home buyer?... To help you on your journey, we have collated some useful tips to starting your home search.

Featured Developments

The Pomeroy

The final 3 bedroom apartment in SE14 available through London Help To Buy.

DISCOVER PECKHAM
Stonelea Gardens

Stonelea Gardens is a stylish new collection of modern homes, set in vibrant Leyton, East London. All apartments have private outdoor space, whilst the houses feature gardens, with some offering rooftop patios and larger properties benefitting from on-site parking.

Find Out More
Patchworks

OVER 75% SOLD | Don’t miss your chance to buy last remaining 2-bed apartments in vibrant Finsbury Park!

DISCOVER PATCHWORKS