What is one key difference between leasehold and freehold properties?

One key difference between leasehold and freehold properties is that leasehold properties may involve a service charge. When a property is leasehold, the owner does not own the land the property is on; instead, they hold the lease from the freeholder, who owns the land. Often, the lease defines responsibilities for maintenance and management of communal areas, which can include service charges paid by leaseholders to cover things like upkeep of shared facilities or services. This charge is not typically associated with freehold properties, where the owner has complete ownership, including the land, and thus usually manages their property independently without ongoing service fees tied to a lease agreement.