Fixture Definition

Anything that has been attached to real estate in such a way as to become part of the premises. Unless the owner of the fixture and the owner of the real estate agree otherwise, the fixture becomes the property of the landowner once it is attached. When a tenant or homeowner has installed a heater, window box, or other item that is bolted, nailed, screwed, or wired into the wall, ceiling, or floor, it becomes the property of the landlord or the subsequent owner. A trade fixture is an item needed by a business, such as machinery or other equipment, and despite its name, these usually do not become part of the building (commercial leases typically include a clause allowing tenants to remove these fixtures when the lease is up).