Chattel vs Appurtenances: What's the Difference?

In real estate, chattel refers to movable personal property that is not permanently attached to the land or a structure, such as furniture or appliances, and typically does not transfer with the property unless specified. In contrast, an appurtenance is a right, improvement, or fixture that is permanently attached to the land and automatically transfers to the new owner when the property is sold, such as a driveway easement, fence, or in-ground pool.

The key difference between chattel and appurtenances in real estate lies in ownership attachment and permanence:

Chattel = Personal Property (Movable)

• Not permanently attached to the land or building
• Typically excluded from a property sale unless specified

Examples of Chattel:

• Furniture
• Washer/dryer (if unplugged and movable)
• Lawn mower
• Portable grill
• Curtains (if not mounted on rods)

Appurtenances = Attached Rights or Property (Immovable)

• Permanently attached or legally tied to the land
• Automatically included in the property sale

Examples of Appurtenances:

• Garage or carport
• Fences
• In-ground pool
• Easements (like access rights to a shared driveway)
• Mineral or water rights

Easy Rule of Thumb:

• If it can be picked up and moved, it’s probably chattel.
• If it runs with the land or is affixed, it’s an appurtenance.