# Leaseholder

Someone who owns a flat on a long lease, which gives them the right to live in or let it for a fixed number of years, in return for paying ground rent and service charges and keeping the lease's promises.

Also called: lessee, tenant (in the lease), flat owner.

Leases and legislation usually call the leaseholder the **tenant** or **lessee**, and the freeholder the **landlord** or **lessor**. That can be confusing, because a leaseholder who rents out their flat also has a tenant of their own.

## What leaseholders usually have

- The right to occupy their flat (the [demised premises](https://runyourblock.co.uk/glossary/demised-premises)) until the lease ends.
- Promises (covenants) to keep: paying the service charge, repairing inside the flat, getting consent for some changes, not causing a nuisance.
- Legal rights, including challenging unreasonable service charges, being consulted on large works, and, if enough leaseholders agree, claiming the [right to manage](https://runyourblock.co.uk/glossary/right-to-manage) or buying the freehold together.

In a self-managed block, leaseholders are usually also **members** of the company that runs the building, and some become its **directors**.

## Related terms

- [Freeholder](https://runyourblock.co.uk/glossary/freeholder)
- [Qualifying tenant](https://runyourblock.co.uk/glossary/qualifying-tenant)
- [Demised premises](https://runyourblock.co.uk/glossary/demised-premises)
- [Share of freehold](https://runyourblock.co.uk/glossary/share-of-freehold)

## Sources

- [GOV.UK: Leasehold property](https://www.gov.uk/leasehold-property)

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Updated 22 October 2026. Source: https://runyourblock.co.uk/glossary/leaseholder