What Does Freehold Mean?
The biggest difference between a freehold condominium and a regular condominium is what is included as part of the unit.
With a regular townhouse or house condominium, the unit typically consists of the interior of the house itself, while the exterior of the house and the plot of land on which the unit sits are considered part of the common elements. This means that repair and maintenance of items like exterior walls, windows, lawns, gardens and driveways may be the responsibility of the condominium corporation.
In a freehold condominium, you usually have more freedom to make improvements, such as landscaping features, to the unit. However, there are usually provisions that give the condominium corporation some control over owners modifying the unit, such as determining when the roof will be repaired, and what colour the shingles must be. So if you want to change the colour of your door or build a deck in your backyard, you may have to ask for permission from the Board of Directors.
Note: In some provinces, there are bare/vacant land condominiums. The land and any structure on it make up the unit and maintenance can be fully the responsibility of the condominium corporation or the unit owner.
