In the context of property terms, what does chattels refer to?

• A. Personal property not including land or buildings
• B. Fixtures on property
• C. Embezzled goods
• D. Government-owned property

Answer: (A)

Chattels are movable personal property—things that can be taken with you and are not land or buildings. This sets them apart from real property, which includes the land and anything permanently attached to it. In everyday terms, furniture, clothing, and art are chattels, while built-in cabinets or a fixed light fixture that stay with the house are fixtures and part of the real property. Embezzled goods aren’t a property term at all, and government-owned property describes ownership, not what chattels are. So the best understanding is that chattels are personal property that can be moved and do not include land or buildings.