The Journal

When purchasing a leasehold property in England or Wales, the buyer is acquiring the right to occupy that property for a set number of years, but not buying the right to either own the building or the land it stands on outright (purchasing the freehold). Buying a share of the freehold is a hybrid ownership structure where leaseholders collectively control the building itself. While this arrangement remains technically a leasehold agreement, it often brings increased autonomy and stronger decision-making rights for the buyer, especially when compared to standard leasehold ownership.