Appurtenance In Real Estate

Definition of "Appurtenance in Real Estate"

Maybe you’re studying for your real estate exam, or you heard the word from your real estate agent and didn’t know what it means. Whichever your reason, we’ll go ahead and explain the appurtenance real estate definition. To put it simply, the term appurtenance is used for something that belongs to and is a part of something else. In real estate, appurtenance is used for a smaller and subordinate element that belongs to a building or piece of land.

Some examples of appurtenances in real estate are built-ins (appliances, swimming pools, light fixtures), fences, and unattached garages. These elements are a part of and belong to the building, property, or piece of land on which they are placed or built.

What is an Appurtenance in Real Estate?

To get into a deeper explanation of the term, appurtenances in real estate are either installed in or placed on the property. They are considered to be a part of the property, and when the property is sold, the appurtenances are sold with the house, included in the home’s price.

There are two types of appurtenances, tangible and intangible. Tangible appurtenances are trees, a barn, a water heater, a fireplace, or a furnace. Intangible appurtenances are easements. Because of this, appurtenances can be applied to items or property rights as they are permanent and are transferred along with the house to the next owner when the property is sold. 

Based on this, during the real estate transaction, through appurtenances, the ownership of certain elements is granted to the person who owns the property on which they are built or installed. An excellent example of how appurtenances work is when a renter installs a new water heater. Usually, once added to the property, under the legal application of appurtenances, the water heater can not be removed as it is considered part of the property. The same situation applies to in-ground swimming pools. The acreage behind a house or the lot on which the house is built is also considered an appurtenance of the house.


The term appurtenance can also be used for right of way and rights to access natural resources that were found in the land like minerals and oil or home improvements and, as mentioned before, easements.

image of a real estate dictionary page

Have a question or comment?

We're here to help.

*** Your email address will remain confidential.
 

 

Popular Real Estate Terms

Home designs developed after World War II incorporating modern technology, materials, and architecture including energy conservation methods to achieve a highly functional structure. ...

People can use the term disclosure in ordinary day to day activities. The definition of disclosure is to expose yourself, to show the truth without omitting any important information. ...

Rooflike cover that extends over any place to provide shelter from the sun, rain, or wind. ...

Generally, the escalation clause, often known as the escalator clause, means a provision in a contract enabling an upsurge in prices, bids, or wages. You must understand that they come into ...

Everyone knows what is a retirement home, but if we were to give our best most concise retirement home definition it would be of something like: real estate facilities that cater to retired ...

Value of a company's or person's name and reputation, As a result, the business will have a competitive edge, and generate better-than-typical future earnings. ...

Condition that affects the probability of losses or perils occurring. An example is possible earthquake or flood damage to a house. ...

Each payment made by the borrower is equal each period, usually monthly. Each payment is comprised of principal and interest. Interest is based on the beginning balance. The cash paid less ...

(1) Distribution channel through which originating mortgage lenders distribute mortgages to the Secondary Mortgage Market. Those purchasing mortgages distributed through the conduit ...

Popular Real Estate Questions