Legal Definitions - household goods

In a legal context, household goods refers to personal property typically found within a home that is used for the comfort, convenience, or daily living of its occupants. This category generally includes furniture, appliances, electronics, clothing, kitchenware, linens, and decorative items. It usually excludes real estate, vehicles, and items primarily held for investment or business purposes.

Here are some examples illustrating the application of this term:

• Example 1: Estate Planning

  A person writing their will might include a clause stating, "I bequeath all my household goods to my niece." This would mean their niece would inherit items like their living room sofa, dining table and chairs, refrigerator, washing machine, personal clothing, and kitchen utensils, but not their car or their investment portfolio.

  How it illustrates the term: The will uses "household goods" as a broad category to transfer common items found in a home, distinguishing them from other types of assets like vehicles or financial instruments.

• Example 2: Insurance Claims

  After a house fire, a homeowner files an insurance claim for their losses. Their policy's "personal property" coverage might specifically list "household goods" as items eligible for replacement or reimbursement. This would cover the cost of replacing their damaged television, beds, personal computer, and family photographs, which are all items typically used in daily home life.

  How it illustrates the term: The insurance policy uses "household goods" to define the scope of personal possessions within the home that are covered against damage or loss, differentiating them from the structure of the house itself.

• Example 3: Landlord-Tenant Law

  A tenant moves out of an apartment but leaves behind several items. State law might specify how a landlord must handle "abandoned household goods," such as a couch, a microwave, and some boxes of clothes. The law typically requires the landlord to store these items for a certain period and notify the tenant before disposing of them.

  How it illustrates the term: The law uses "household goods" to categorize personal belongings left in a rental property, establishing specific procedures for their management to protect the tenant's property rights.