Leasehold definition
/What is a Leasehold?
A leasehold is a designation that is assigned to an asset being leased. Under a lease arrangement, the lessee gains the use of an asset that is owned by the lessor for a certain period of time, in exchange for a series of payments.
Accounting for a Leasehold
The leasehold designation appears in the accounting records of the lessee, and is most commonly seen as a fixed asset account called "Leasehold Improvements". These improvements are capital expenditures applied to a leased asset, such as building space. The lessee amortizes leasehold improvements over the shorter of their useful life or the life of the lease.
Related AccountingTools Course
Presentation of a Leasehold
For presentation purposes, a leasehold asset is usually consolidated with the other fixed asset accounts of a business, so that only a single fixed assets line item is presented on its balance sheet. The ending balance in the leasehold asset account is usually considered too immaterial to be worth presenting separately. If it were to be presented, it might appear as noted in the following exhibit.
