What is meant by "legal title" to a property?

The concept of "legal title" refers to the complete ownership of a property, which includes both the rights to possess the property and the rights to use it in accordance with the law. This encompasses various rights usually associated with ownership, including the right to modify, sell, lease, or otherwise control the property as the owner sees fit.

When someone holds legal title, they are recognized by law as the rightful owner of the property. This differs significantly from mere possession or physical ownership, which might imply using or occupying the property without having any of the associated rights or protections that come with legal ownership. Thus, legal title is associated with the full bundle of rights that allows the owner to enforce their interests in the property against others.

Other options mentioned do not capture the full scope of what legal title encompasses. Physical ownership alone misses the essential rights that accompany ownership of the property. Partial ownership rights does not convey the entirety of the legal rights held by a titleholder. Ownership requiring a mortgage suggests a relationship with debt rather than a clear definition of ownership rights. Legal title fundamentally affirms complete ownership, which is why this choice is the most accurate representation of the term.