property

chattel

Another word for personal property: movable items that are not permanently attached to land or buildings, such as furniture, cars, and appliances that simply plug in. Chattels transfer by a bill of sale rather than a deed. Whether an item is a chattel or a fixture depends on tests such as the method of attachment, adaptation to the property, and the intention of the person who installed it.

Exam tip
Chattel equals personal property. Watch for questions asking how chattels transfer: bill of sale, not deed.
Example
A seller's freestanding washer and dryer are chattels and leave with the seller unless the purchase contract says they stay.

Related terms & state variants

Sources

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Last verified: 2026-10-23