Defining House Fixtures in Real Estate (With Examples)

Did you know that having the right house fixtures can significantly boost the value of your property?

Businesses have the infrastructure, and homes have house fixtures. Houses have sinks, showers, and faucets necessary to make life comfortable, particularly in the kitchen.

Although defining house fixtures may seem overly technical or even unnecessary, knowing the right words to use in your home marketing and inspection report can add essential detail to your writing.

Plus, your buyers will have an easier time understanding the parts of their home when they look in the manuals or give their new home a tour.

If you are listing your home or offering it on the market, learn how to define these crucial home parts and give the next homeowner the best start possible.

What Are Real Estate Fixtures?

Fittings and fixtures are specific assets that come with a house or a building. Fixtures are real estate assets that are attached to land or property. Fittings are assets that are not permanently attached, like fixtures.

It is best to think of fixtures as personal property that is fixed to the house. This means they cannot be lifted or moved to another location without much effort. Fittings, on the other hand, are free-standing.

So, you can move them around because they are typically attached with screws or nails, like hooks for paintings.

If you are in a simulation where you can tip the property to the side, think of everything that stays inside as a fixture. The assets that spill outside are fittings.

Examples of House Fixtures

House fixtures are classified as things you would bolt down to your property. However, they are not structural because they are not the same as having walls. Some of the most common examples of fixtures are:

• Built-in wardrobes
• Kitchen cabinets, drawers, and cupboards
• Heating systems and boilers
• Doors
• Flooring and carpets
• Showers, bathtubs, sinks, and bathroom storage
• Fireplaces
• Towel racks
• Built-in appliances
• Light fixtures
• Plants and trees
• Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
• Ceiling fans
• Chandeliers

The reason these are considered real estate fixtures is that they stay behind with the house for any new owners to use. Fixtures are easy to identify because they are always attached to the house.

After all, can you imagine having to pack and unpack a fireplace every time you sell the property or move out?

That would be impossible. Hence why fireplaces are considered to be real estate fixtures. Check out these fireplace styling trends to have the best designs to blow your guests’ minds next winter.

How to Identify a Fixture?

At times, it can be a bit of a gray area when it comes to identifying house fixtures. The best way to identify the right house fixtures is by using a method called MARIA.

This is a test and acronym typically used by real estate agents to identify what fixtures are. This acronym exists because many local governments from different states could have their own regulations about what counts as a fixture.

The MARIA Method

The M in Maria is a method of attachment. This classifies anything that is permanently attached to the property. For instance, anything using cement, screws, and glue can be a fixture. The A stands for adaptability. This means that if an item has to be adapted to fulfill a purpose at home, it becomes an integral piece of the house. Then it becomes a fixture, like a pool cover. Even though you can effortlessly pack up a pool cover and take it with you while moving, it is an integral piece of real property that most people leave behind for the next occupants.

Then comes R, which means the relationship of the parties. This refers to who is involved in fixing disputes regarding the way items are evaluated. For instance, if buyers and sellers are disputing a fixture, it is assumed that the items were installed with the intention of using them as permanent fixtures. They were not installed, thinking people would remove their kitchen cabinets and take them with them.

Change of Ownership

If there is a dispute between tenants and landlords about fixtures, whatever the tenant can take with them is not considered a fixture. The I in the acronym stands for intention. This means that the reason an item was installed or attached can also dictate whether it is a real fixture. If an item like a stove or fridge is not attached to the property, it does not become a fixture by default.

However, if a homeowner wants to build a fridge into their home like a permanent fixture, it can count as a fixture in the legal sense if both sellers and buyers acknowledge the permanence of the fridge. Finally, the A at the end of MARIA stands for agreement. This indicates that the best way to know what will be included in a home sale or not depends on the purchase contract and purchase agreement.

Common Fixture Disputes

There are always a few items that are frequently argued in real estate transactions. For instance, built-in appliances like dishwashers and sinks are usually considered fixtures because they do not move with the resident.

However, other appliances like unattached dryers, washers, and fridges can sometimes be argued as personal property because they are not permanently attached to the building.

Swing sets and playgrounds can also be debated, especially if they are not cemented into the ground permanently. If a swing set is cemented in your yard, it can be seen as a fixture and real property.

But the lines of fixtures get blurry when structures are not permanently bolted to the ground. If a swing can be carried, what is stopping someone from taking it to their new residence?

Mirrors can also go either way. For instance, if a mirror is bolted and nailed to your wall, it can be seen as a fixture. However, free-standing mirrors that can be loaded onto a truck and driven to a new home would not be considered fixtures because they are personal property.

Light fixtures are also quite permanently attached to a home. But they can also not be fixtures if you can unscrew and take them with you. There should always be clarity in the purchase agreement to avoid conflicts between buyers and sellers regarding what counts as fixtures.

The same goes for window treatments as well. Even though curtains and other detachable accessories can move with the seller, things like curtain rods are more permanent.

They can be classified as fixtures if they remain on the property. Finally, a basketball court or hoop can also be a fixture. However, the hoop needs to be cemented into the ground to be a fixture instead of personal property.

How to Avoid Real Estate Fixtures Disputes?

The best way to avoid disputes related to house fixtures is to be clear and transparent about what must always stay in the home and what can be moved.

Always have this in writing when you prepare your home for a sale or if you are purchasing a new property. Ensure that you clearly state which items need to remain in place and communicate this information with all parties to clear all confusion.

Otherwise, you will end up disputing these things constantly each time there is a real estate transaction. So, it is always best to get this in writing with the help of your real estate agent.

Who Is Responsible for Replacing House Fixtures?

The landlord of the property is typically responsible for repairing, replacing, and maintaining all house fixtures throughout your tenancy. The landlord must also keep all the fixtures, especially those regarding electricity, heating, water, and gas, in excellent working order.

This is part of guaranteeing a tenant’s right to live in a home that is safe. Fittings are much easier to deal with because these become a matter of compromise and discussion.

Tenants are usually expected to replace their minor fittings like hooks and plugs. Even though landlords are responsible for replacing fixtures, the tenant is responsible for preventing damages caused by negligence.

If a renter destroys the light fixtures or parts of the wall, a landlord may have the right to fund repairs from their withheld deposit.

Who Owns House Fixtures?

All fixtures that are present in the home when a tenant moves in are still owned by the landlord. Tenants are obligated to leave the building exactly how they found it.

They should not take anything with them if they are not the property owner. Landlords can gift or sell various fittings to tenants if it is convenient for both parties.

However, this is impossible for fixtures, and tenants must look after these in the home before moving out to avoid losing their deposit.

Real Estate Transaction

Now that you know a bit about house fixtures and how to juggle a real estate transaction, it istime to speak to your agent. This is an important step because clarity, fairness, and opennessare the best ways to close a deal. 

Your property's fixtures and fittings can be worth thousands of dollars. So, it is in everyone's best interest to work out all the details in writing before any contracts are signed with your real estate company in Cambodia.

If you enjoyed reading this personal property guide, check out some of our other posts.

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