Fee simple
The term 'fee simple' refer to an individual’s absolute ownership of land. It is the most complete ownership interest an individual can have in real property, and with a fee simple title, the owner has the right to possess, use or dispose of the land as they choose.
The owner of a fee simple title is able to make additions or alterations, subject to bylaws and legal consent requirements. They are also able to sell, gift, or lease the land to others, and to make provisions for its ownership after their death. Restrictive covenants can also be registered on the land by the owner.
The term is derived from the words ‘fee’, which denotes an inheritable interest in land, and ‘simple’, which denotes the fact that, historically, the land could be inherited by ‘general heirs’, i.e. as long as there were heirs to inherit, the estate would last indefinitely.
Legislation introduced in 1925 abolished the concept of the heir, and introduced new statutory inheritance rules. While the idea of the ‘heirs general’ is now somewhat different, fee simple still provides that as long as the will of the previous owner makes provision for new person/s to take the land, then the estate can endure indefinitely.
HM Land Registry: 1862 Act Register, glossary, published on 7 November 2014 by HM Land Registry, defines fee simple as: ‘The best type of estate in land. The owner can sell, give away or bequeath it in a will as he wishes.’ Where estate in land is: ‘A kind of ownership in a piece of land which is determined by how long a person could own it. '
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
The benefits of engaging with insulation manufacturers
When considering ground floor constructions.
Lighting Industry endorses Blueprint for Electrification
The Lighting Industry Association fully supports the ECA Blueprint as a timely, urgent call to action.
BSRIA Sentinel Clerk of Works Training Case Study
Strengthening expertise to enhance service delivery with integrated cutting-edge industry knowledge.
Impact report from the Supply Chain Sustainability School
Free sustainability skills, training and support delivered to thousands of UK companies to help cut carbon.
The Building Safety Forum at the Installershow 2025
With speakers confirmed for 24 June as part of Building Safety Week.
The UK’s largest air pollution campaign.
Future Homes Standard, now includes solar, but what else?
Will the new standard, due to in the Autumn, go far enough in terms of performance ?
BSRIA Briefing: Cleaner Air, Better tomorrow
A look back at issues relating to inside and outside air quality, discussed during the BSRIA briefing in 2023.
Restoring Abbotsford's hothouse
Bringing the writer Walter Scott's garden to life.
Reflections on the spending review with CIAT.
Retired firefighter cycles world to raise Grenfell funds
Leaving on 14 June 2025 Stephen will raise money for youth and schools through the Grenfell Foundation.
Key points for construction at a glance with industry reactions.
Functionality, visibility and sustainability
The simpler approach to specification.
Architects, architecture, buildings, and inspiration in film
The close ties between makers and the movies, with our long list of suggested viewing.
SELECT three-point plan for action issued to MSPs
Call for Scottish regulation, green skills and recognition of electrotechnical industry as part of a manifesto for Scottish Parliamentary elections.
UCEM becomes the University of the Built Environment
Major milestone in its 106-year history, follows recent merger with London School of Architecture (LSE).
Professional practical experience for Architects in training
The long process to transform the nature of education and professional practical experience in the Architecture profession following recent reports.
Comments
[edit] To make a comment about this article, or to suggest changes, click 'Add a comment' above. Separate your comments from any existing comments by inserting a horizontal line.