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