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Full ownership

Ownership of a thing consists of the ultimate power and control of that thing, whether land or chattels. There is no superior property right beyond ownership - full ownership is the supreme property right. In relation to land, ownership is often referred to as 'title'.

Full ownership exists when the owner of the property has all of the rights normally associated with ownership. There are many particular rights an owner of property enjoys. One of the most important is the right to possess the property. Another is the right to use and enjoy the property. An owner is also entitled to sell or otherwise dispose of their property, to consume it and even destroy it. These rights are perpetual: they do not expire after any specified term.

Example: A owns a quarter acre block of land on which a house is built. It is fully paid for. She lives in the house with her family. She is renovating it and intends to sell it when it has increased in value by more than 50%.

Taylor v Johnson (1983) 151 CLR 422 provides an example of an owner of property exercising their right to sell that property.