nonfreehold estate

A nonfreehold estate is an estate which gives the right to possess the property but not title to hold the property. Nonfreehold estates are often called leaseholds or tenancies, as they are often occupied by tenants under leasing contracts. Nonfreehold estates are often described as lacking seisin, because of the reduced rights of ownership associated with the estate. 

Examples of nonfreehold estates include a tenancy for years, a tenancy from period to period, a tenancy at will, and a tenancy at suffrage. 

Nonfreehold estates are contrasted with freehold estates, which provide the complete rights to possess the property and full ownership. The types of freehold estates are fee simple, fee tail, and life estate. 

[Last reviewed in July of 2023 by the Wex Definitions Team]

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