What is the term for ownership that is free from any defects or claims?

The term for ownership that is free from any defects or claims is known as "clear title." A clear title represents ownership without liens, encumbrances, or legal claims against the property, allowing the owner to transfer ownership without concerns that might arise from unresolved issues. A clear title ensures that the buyer can take full ownership rights without potential disputes or claims from other parties.

Marketable title, while it implies that the title can be legally transferred and is free of significant defects, does not guarantee absolute freedom from all possible claims or issues. It suggests that the title is sufficiently clear to be accepted by a reasonable buyer, which may still leave room for potential minor claims or defects that do not prevent the transfer of ownership. Hence, "clear title" is the more precise term for ownership without any defects or claims.

Other terms, such as title guarantee, refer to commitments made by title insurance companies to cover any defects that might arise, rather than the status of the ownership itself. Freehold title generally describes a type of estate in land rather than the quality of the title.