What is freehold title?

Q What is freehold title?

Terry, Belfield

A Freehold title means the land owner (and any of their beneficiaries) owns the property outright in perpetuity (which is legalese for “until the world ends”). According to property lawyer Charles Xuereb, there are generally two types of title: freehold and leasehold, the latter of which is commonly a long-term, secure lease of 99 years.

The lessor is often the Crown (think Canberra) but not always. For many properties on Manly’s Eastern Hill it’s the Catholic Church and at Woolloomooloo Bay Finger Wharf it’s the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority.