What is the highest quality of ownership of property referred to as?

The highest quality of ownership of property is referred to as fee simple. This type of ownership is characterized by having complete control over the property, both in terms of usage and disposition. Fee simple ownership means the owner has the full bundle of rights associated with the property, including the right to sell, lease, or transfer the property as they see fit. The owner also has the right to pass the property on to heirs upon their death, making this form of ownership enduring and secure.

Fee simple ownership is not encumbered by any limitations that come with other forms of property ownership such as life estates, which restrict the owner's rights to the duration of a person's life, or leaseholds, where the rights to the property are temporary and subject to the terms of a lease agreement. In contrast, joint tenancy allows for shared ownership but includes the right of survivorship, which affects the ownership status upon the death of one of the joint owners. Therefore, fee simple stands out as the most complete and unrestricted form of property ownership.