Houses vs Property Ownership in England

[CTUCop]

Just an idle thought that popped into my head, but I was reminded of it during a conversation I had earlier this morning. Since we have brothers/sisters from across the pond on the forum, I figured I’d ask.

I had read once that buildings in London are privately owned, but the building owner doesn’t actually own the property it is built on. The article seemed to infer that the owner had to pay the property owner a monthly (yearly?) rent as it were. Anyone care to explain how the whole thing works? (Or did I misconstrue the meaning?) And does that apply to houses? And how widespread is it?

[7mmMag]

Interesting question. Reminds me of property taxes.

[Manxman]

The only thing I can think of that sounds like that is rented property. It's quite common for businesses to rent land rather than buy it. They obviously pay rent for this. They then pay to put a building up. Some of the leases I've seen run for 99, 150, 250 years or whatever.

Where's the article?

[Oldbillplod]

You can buy a property leasehold or freehold, if it is leasehold then the property is yours but the land is built on isn't therefore you have to pay a kind of ground rent to the owners, if you buy freehold then the whole thing is yours.

[oscarmitre]

Does this go back to the time when the infamous William II (William Rufus, son of William I) woke up one morning and declared that the whole of England belonged to him?

I too remember reading somewhere about the issue of freehold land in England and how it was never really freehold but leased from the Crown (sometimes in perpetuity). I'm not sure if that's the case now.

Where I live it's possible for someone to have full freehold. If anyone has a real estate interest this (where I live) is also the place the Torrens Title was invented.

Yes, trivial things really do get stuck in my mind.

[Oldbillplod]

My property as are most properties in the UK is freehold and if William II wants to fight me for it then i'm game:D

[oscarmitre]

My property as are most properties in the UK is freehold and if William II wants to fight me for it then i'm game:D

Done, he's just channelled through me. Something about meeting you in the New Forest....but leave that bloody gamekeeper at home :D

[Manxman]

Oscar, you're right in that there is a point of law that all land belongs to the Crown. However, this has very little legal significance today. Freehold land is the superior title that exists and is technically a grant in perpetuity from the Crown.

[1depd]

I put my money on the dead guy.