appurtenances

Appurtenances are rights, privileges, or fixtures that belong to a piece of real property and pass with its transfer. In property law, an appurtenance is something attached to the land or otherwise owned with the land and treated as part of the real property, even if not physically integrated. The general rule is that appurtenances transfer with the title to the property unless the deed, contract, or applicable law provides otherwise.

Appurtenances are commonly divided into two categories: appurtenant and in gross. Appurtenant rights are tied to a particular parcel of land and run with the land to which they are attached; when the land is sold, the appurtenant rights transfer with it. In gross rights benefit a person or entity rather than a specific parcel and may not automatically transfer with ownership. Examples of appurtenances include easements and rights of way, water or mineral rights, and parking or access rights. Fixtures—items permanently attached to the property such as built-in appliances, lighting, and plumbing—are usually treated as appurtenances of the real property and transfer with the sale.

Practically, appurtenances are identified in deeds, surveys, and title records. They can be limited, excluded, or severed by agreement, express grant, or statute. Understanding appurtenances helps clarify what accompanies a property transfer beyond the physical structure itself.