Does share of freehold add value?

Putting an exact price tag on a share of freehold is impossible – every property’s situation is unique. But one thing’s for sure, it’s a tempting perk that boosts overall home desirability. With that ownership stake, renewing leases gets simpler and more affordable. You’re insulated from high ground rents and fees. And having a voice in building management is a major draw for buyers.

Do I still have to pay fees and charges with a share of freehold?

Unless it’s otherwise stated in your share of the freehold agreement, you will still have to pay ground rent and other charges associated with leasehold properties. This is because you’re still living in the property on a leasehold basis. But there is a major upside, as a share of freehold owner, you’re far less vulnerable to gouging on those fees. You and your fellow owners collectively call the shots on fair pricing without any external freeholder’s interests getting in the way.

What is a freehold management company?

Owning a freehold property doesn't always mean complete freedom from fees and shared responsibilities, particularly in newer housing developments where freehold management companies now commonly maintain communal areas and collect service charges. While this arrangement might seem surprising if you've purchased a freehold home, it creates a system for keeping shared spaces well-maintained, though it does mean ongoing financial commitments that traditional freehold owners might not have expected.

Share of freehold: what does it mean?

Understand how share of freehold works, combining aspects of both leasehold and freehold ownership when buying a flat.

Last updated 25 Nov 2025

An illustration of a family home that has boxes inside to represent the moving process.

Key takeaways

Share of freehold means owning your individual flat on a leasehold basis while jointly owning the building's freehold

Benefits include control over maintenance, easier lease extensions, and more flexibility with property restrictions

You'll need to cooperate with other co-owners on building decisions and maintenance responsibilities

Properties must meet specific eligibility criteria to purchase the freehold collectively

Properties with share of freehold are often more desirable than standard leaseholds but involve more complex sales

Share of freehold guide

Owning a home often means navigating the complexities of leasehold versus freehold ownership. But there’s another type of property tenure that offers a unique blend of both – the share of freehold.

This setup allows flat owners to hold individual leasehold interests in their buildings, while collectively owning the freehold of the entire building and land it sits on.

However, with owning a share of freehold comes added responsibilities for maintenance, finances, and group decision-making.

We’re going to break it all down here.

What is a share of freehold?

With a share of freehold, you own your individual property on a leasehold basis, but you also jointly hold the freehold of the entire building and the land it sits on. This setup typically applies to blocks of flats or apartments.

So, in simple terms – you have your own leasehold flat, but you also have a shared ownership stake in the freehold alongside the other flat owners in the building.

Here’s a quick definition of a freehold and a leasehold just to make things clear:

What’s a freehold property?

A freehold means you own the property and the land outright.

What’s a leasehold property?

A leasehold means you have a long-term lease contract to occupy the property, but the freeholder of the building maintains owners of the land.

Learn more:

Freehold vs leaseholds

Share of freehold: what does it mean?

Understand how share of freehold works, combining aspects of both leasehold and freehold ownership when buying a flat.

Share of freehold guide

What is a share of freehold?

What is a share of freehold?

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