What is a primary characteristic of a nonfreehold estate?

A nonfreehold estate is characterized primarily by the fact that it confers possession but not ownership of the property. This means that while a tenant or leaseholder has the right to occupy and use the property, they do not hold title or ownership rights to it. Nonfreehold estates are typically associated with leasing situations, where the tenant occupies the space for a specific period as defined in the lease agreement, but does not obtain the underlying ownership of the property itself.

In the context of real estate, understanding the distinction between ownership (which is associated with freehold estates) and possession (typical of nonfreehold estates) is crucial. This differentiation is foundational in property law and helps clarify rights and responsibilities of both landlords and tenants.