Few things sour the joy of moving into a new home faster than walking in on settlement day to find the dishwasher gone, the curtains stripped, or the heat pump removed. In New Zealand these items are called chattels, and exactly which ones come with the house is settled in writing, in the sale and purchase agreement. Chattels seem like a small detail next to the price, but they shape what your new home actually feels like the day you arrive, and getting them clearly listed protects the smooth, settled start you are hoping for. This guide explains what counts as a chattel, how they are recorded, and the simple steps that prevent disputes.
Quick answer
Chattels are the moveable items included in a house sale, as opposed to fixtures that are permanently attached to the property. Common chattels in a NZ sale include the stove or oven, range hood, dishwasher, fixed floor coverings, curtains and blinds, light fittings, and the heat pump. The sale and purchase agreement has a chattels section where included items are listed and ticked or written in, and that list is what binds. If an item is not listed, the seller may be entitled to take it. The rule of thumb is simple: if you expect something to stay, make sure it is named in the agreement, and on settlement day check the listed chattels are present and working.
The detail, in plain English
New Zealand law draws a line between fixtures and chattels. A fixture is attached to the property in a way that makes it part of the land or building, such as a built-in wardrobe or a fixed deck, and it generally stays with the house automatically. A chattel is moveable, and whether it is included depends on the agreement. The standard sale and purchase agreement lists the usual chattels with tick boxes, and there is space to add others. Anything you specifically want, an outdoor spa, a particular set of appliances, a garden shed, a TV bracket, should be written in explicitly, because relying on assumption is how disputes start. The agreement can also note whether chattels are sold as is, and it is wise to record the condition of important items, since a chattel that is included is expected to be in reasonable working order on settlement, unless agreed otherwise. Sellers should be honest and precise about what stays and what goes, and remove anything they intend to keep before listing photos are taken to avoid raising expectations. Buyers should read the chattels list carefully before signing and, where something matters, ask for it to be added rather than assuming it is included. On settlement day, a final inspection, often arranged through your lawyer, lets you confirm the listed chattels are there and functioning before the money changes hands.
What it means for you
Chattels are where a sale gets personal, because they decide whether your first night in the new home is calm or stressful. If you are buying, treat the chattels list as part of the deal, not an afterthought. Walk the property with the list in mind, name anything you want included, and check that important items work during the pre-settlement inspection. If you are selling, be upfront about what you are taking so buyers are not disappointed, and keep listing photos honest. Clear chattels are a small kindness that makes the handover feel fair on both sides, and your lawyer is the right person to make sure the agreement reflects exactly what was agreed. A few minutes of care here protects the welcoming, settled feeling a new home should give you from the very first day.
Common questions
Are curtains and blinds chattels? Usually yes, and they appear on the standard list, but confirm they are ticked or written in. Does the dishwasher stay? Only if it is listed as an included chattel, so check the agreement. What if a listed chattel is broken on settlement day? Included chattels are generally expected to be in reasonable working order, so raise it with your lawyer before settling. Can I add extra items? Yes, write them into the chattels section of the agreement before signing. Whats the difference between a fixture and a chattel? A fixture is attached and usually stays automatically; a chattel is moveable and only stays if the agreement says so.
Your next step
Chattels sit inside the bigger contract that ties a sale together, so it helps to understand the whole document. Read about the sale and purchase agreement and settlement at /sale-purchase-agreement-settlement/, see how the full buying journey works at /buying-process-nz/, and learn what happens on the day you get the keys at /settlement-day-explained/. When you want a property lawyer to make sure the chattels and the rest of the agreement reflect exactly what you agreed, Maifang can match you, free and with no obligation. Get in touch at /contact/.
In plain English: In plain English: chattels are the moveable items in a sale, like the oven, dishwasher, curtains and heat pump, and only the ones written into the agreement are included, so list everything that matters and check it is present and working on settlement day.
General information, not personalised real-estate, legal or financial advice. Confirm your situation with a licensed adviser. Read the full disclaimer →