Legal Definitions - chattel

Chattel refers to an item of personal property that is movable, distinguishing it from real property like land or buildings. Historically, it encompassed all property that wasn't real estate. In modern legal terms, chattel typically denotes tangible, movable personal possessions.

In legal terms, chattel refers to an item of personal property that is movable and not permanently attached to land or a building. Unlike real property, which includes land and anything fixed to it (like a house or a fence), chattel encompasses tangible objects that can be physically moved from one place to another. Historically, the term was broader, covering almost any property that wasn't real estate. In modern usage, it most commonly describes physical, movable goods that someone owns.

• Example 1: Imagine a professional photographer's collection of high-end cameras, lenses, and lighting equipment.

  Explanation: These items are considered chattel because they are physical objects that can be picked up, transported, bought, or sold independently of any specific piece of land or building. They are movable personal property essential to the photographer's work but not permanently affixed to their studio or home.

• Example 2: A restaurant owner purchases a new commercial-grade espresso machine and several dining tables and chairs for their establishment.

  Explanation: The espresso machine, tables, and chairs are all examples of chattel. They are tangible, movable assets that are used within the restaurant but are not permanently built into the structure of the building. The owner could sell or move these items without altering the real property (the restaurant building itself).