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Title

Types of title

Title to property in Australia can take several forms, including the following.

A certificate of title is usually issued by the state lands title office (land registry), where land and property ownership is recorded. Mortgages are also recorded at the lands title office.

Freehold – Most properties in Australia are owned freehold, where the owner receives a copy of the certificate of title (deeds) or the strata title.
Strata Title – Apartments in Australia are sold freehold under the Strata Titles Act and are known as ‘strata title units’. Strata title arrangements usually include a management agreement for the provision of services and facilities tailored to the needs of residents, as well as a possible deferred management fee. Strata title provides the highest level of security of tenure, the ability to borrow against the equity in your home, and retention of any appreciation in its value.
Leasehold – Under leasehold title, you purchase a long lease, which is a common tenancy arrangement in retirement villages, for example. Leases are usually for 99 or 199 years, and a leasehold title is cheaper than a strata title, although stamp duty is still quite high. Leases are transferable, but there’s no capital appreciation if the lease is transferred.
Company-share Title – A company-share title is effectively a share in the company that owns the estate, which includes the right to tenancy, although shares can be difficult to resell.
Loan & Licence – A loan and licence arrangement usually applies to donor-funded estates, where you pay the sponsor/developer a sum (donation) plus an interest-free loan, which buys you the right to occupy a unit and use the facilities of the estate, e.g. a retirement village.