Which ownership type provides the most complete control over a property?

Fee simple ownership is the type that offers the most complete control over a property. This form of ownership grants the owner the greatest bundle of rights, including the rights to sell, lease, or build on the property, as well as to transfer ownership upon death, either through a will or by law.

With fee simple ownership, the owner has the ability to use the land without restrictions imposed by others, except for public laws and regulations. This type of ownership is not limited in duration, meaning the owner's interest in the property continues indefinitely and can be passed to heirs.

In contrast, leasehold ownership refers to a tenant's rights to use a property for a specific period under a lease, but it does not confer full ownership rights and control. Life estates grant ownership for the duration of a person's life, after which the property passes to another party, limiting control over the property after the life tenant's death. Joint tenancy involves shared ownership between two or more individuals, which includes rights of survivorship; however, this arrangement can lead to disputes and limits individual control over the entirety of the property.

Thus, fee simple provides absolute ownership, enabling the owner to exercise comprehensive control without the limitations present in other forms of property ownership.