What are chattels in the context of property law?

Chattels refer to items that are personal property and not affixed or permanently attached to real estate. In property law, this term is often used to signify items that a seller may include in a sale transaction but that can be removed without damage to the property. This includes furniture, appliances, and other movable items that, unlike fixtures, do not become a permanent part of the property.

Understanding this distinction is crucial in real estate transactions because it clarifies what will be included in the sale. Fixtures, on the other hand, are items that are permanently attached to the property, making them part of the real estate. Legal documents associated with property ownership pertain to the ownership rights and are not classified as chattels, and payments made as part of a property sale fall under financial transactions rather than property categories.