Fixture Definition and Legal Meaning

On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Fixture, written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.

What is Fixture?

(n) Fixture is the erection or attachment made to a land or building which is not movable after its fixing and which forms as an integral part of the property there after. Eg. Compound wall in property. Erected cement bench in a park.

History and Meaning of Fixture

Fixture is a term used in real estate law to describe an object that was once personal property but has now become attached to, and an integral part of, the real property. Over time, fixture has undergone various interpretations, particularly with the intricacies between trade fixtures and chattels. In English law, a similar legal concept emerged with the term "Annexation" which had the same meaning as Fixture.

Examples of Fixture

  1. Light fixtures
  2. Plumbing fixtures, like sinks and toilets, that are permanently affixed to a building
  3. Wall-to-wall carpeting that is glued down
  4. Built-in bookshelves
  5. Window blinds

Legal Terms Similar to Fixture

  1. Trade Fixtures - Chattels or personal property that a tenant may attach to the leased property, but must remove upon expiration of the lease.
  2. Chattel - A term used in property law to describe personal property which can be easily removed and is not attached to the land or building.
  3. Annexation - A legal concept similar to Fixture in English law. It refers to the act of making a chattel a part of a tenement.