When you walk into a new home, you are not just looking at the colour of paint or choice of flooring. The furniture, mirrors, light fixtures, and appliances, all play into the aesthetics and feel of a home and may be one reason you buy a specific home over another. You might like the upgraded appliances or the rustic pantry in the kitchen. One thing to consider though is whether the furniture, appliances and fixtures you see come with the house or whether they are “extra”. Each residential Agreement of Purchase and Sale in Ontario contains a chattels and fixtures clause. When you go to look a new home you must determine, with the use of experienced realtors, whether an item is considered a chattel or fixture, and whether such is included with the purchase price or excluded.
In Ontario, all fixtures are deemed to remain with the property unless the seller excludes them. A vendor can take a chattel with them unless they include them in the agreement. It can be confusing to differentiate. A good rule of thumb is to ask whether the item is attached to a wall or space or can it be easily removed, almost temporary. If it only attached by a plug or a hook such as a mirror or picture, it would likely fall under chattel but if it is built in or requires tools to remove it, it likely falls under the category of fixture.
If you are a vendor, even if the answer seems obvious, clarify with your agent if there is something you want to keep to ensure that it is clearly written in the agreement. If you are a purchaser, do not assume that all you see will be yours and ensure your agent understands your needs. It is better to be overly cautious than move in on closing to discovery missing items you thought would be there. The more detail listed in the agreement the better. The parties are best to record by make and model the chattels to remain and what are to be excluded. Often, a good realtor can negotiate what fixtures and chattels are included or excluded in an agreement.
Specific attention should be paid to the hot water tank, furnace, alarm system or other equipment as these may be subject to rental contracts or leases. Your offer should clearly state whether or not the furnace and/or other equipment is being included in the purchase price. If you are a vendor, and if the furnace/a/c/equipment is being financed, you may be surprised to learn that you have to pay the entire balance off before closing. A warranty is made by the vendor that all included chattels are being transferred “free and clear of all encumbrances”, thus all the equipment being transferred has to be fully paid off.
In summary, diligence and detail is key to ensure all parties understand what they are buying, and what they are selling to avoid any disappointment, cost or large out of pocket payouts before closing.
By Shana Dale
