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Movable Property

Also known as: Personal Property, Chattels

Definition

Movable property is any tangible personal belongings you can physically move—such as furniture, jewellery, cars, and art—excluding money, business assets, and property held solely as an investment.

Understanding this distinction matters when creating your will, as the legal definition determines exactly what passes to beneficiaries under "all my personal chattels" clauses.

What Does Movable Property Mean?

Under English and Welsh law, movable property is legally defined as "tangible movable property" in the Administration of Estates Act 1925, Section 55(1)(x), as amended by the Inheritance and Trustees' Powers Act 2014. The word "tangible" means you can physically touch the item, while "movable" means it can be relocated from place to place. This legal term is also known as "personal chattels" in wills and estate administration documents.

The 2014 reform modernized the definition from the original 1925 list of specific items—carriages, horses, stable furniture, motor cars—to the broader "tangible movable property." This modern definition accommodates contemporary assets like computers and electronics while specifically excluding three categories: money and securities for money, property used solely or mainly for business purposes at death, and property held solely as an investment.

Movable property includes household items (furniture, appliances, kitchenware, linens), personal effects (clothing, books, photographs), jewellery and watches for personal use, vehicles (cars, motorcycles, boats) for personal use, electronics (computers, phones, televisions), and hobby items like art displayed in your home or musical instruments you play. Emma's estate included her dining room furniture (£3,000), jewellery collection (£8,000), 2019 Ford Focus (£12,000), laptop and tablet (£1,500), and her grandmother's china set (£600)—all movable property because she used them personally.

However, the three legal exclusions mean not everything you can physically move counts as movable property. Cash, bank accounts, stocks, bonds, and cryptocurrency are specifically excluded as money and securities. Equipment or inventory used solely or mainly for business purposes at death doesn't qualify. Most importantly, assets held solely as an investment—such as wine collections purchased purely to resell, art stored in bank vaults bought only for financial gain, or classic cars kept sealed in storage for appreciation—are excluded from the personal chattels definition.

The investment versus personal use distinction can be subtle. Art hanging on your walls that you enjoy daily is movable property. The same artwork stored in a vault and purchased purely for resale is investment property. A vintage car you drive occasionally is movable property. An identical car in sealed storage as a financial investment is excluded. The legal test asks: was it used solely as an investment at death?

This distinction matters in multiple contexts. When you leave "all my personal chattels" to someone in your will, this legal definition determines exactly what they receive. Under intestacy rules, a surviving spouse receives "all the personal chattels" plus £322,000 before other distributions. All movable property must be valued for probate and inheritance tax purposes—items over £500 typically require professional valuation. For cross-border estates, the movable-immovable distinction is critical: movable property succession is governed by the law of your domicile at death, while immovable property (land and buildings) follows the law where it's located.

Common Questions

"What counts as movable property in a will?" Movable property includes anything you own that can be physically moved—furniture, jewellery, cars, electronics, art, clothing, and personal belongings. In UK wills, this is legally defined as 'tangible movable property' excluding money, securities, business assets, and property held solely as an investment.

"Is movable property subject to inheritance tax?" Yes, all movable property forms part of your estate and counts towards inheritance tax calculations. Items valued over £500 require professional valuation for probate. The combined value of your chattels, investments, property, and other assets determines if your estate exceeds the £325,000 nil-rate band.

"How does movable property differ from immovable property in estate planning?" Movable property (personal belongings, vehicles, art) is governed by the law of your domicile at death, while immovable property (land and buildings) is governed by the law where the property is located. This distinction matters significantly for cross-border estate planning with assets in multiple countries.

Common Misconceptions

Myth: "Only physical property like houses and cars are part of my estate—personal belongings don't really count."

Reality: All movable property (furniture, jewellery, electronics, clothing, personal items) forms part of your estate and must be valued for probate and inheritance tax. A typical household's movable property can be worth £20,000-£50,000 or more—art, jewellery, and collectibles can add substantial value. This all counts towards the £325,000 inheritance tax threshold.

Myth: "All my personal belongings and collections are movable property."

Reality: The 2014 legal definition specifically excludes property held solely as an investment, business assets, and money. A wine collection purchased purely to resell at profit, computer equipment used only for your business, or a classic car kept in storage as a financial investment are NOT movable property—they don't pass with "all my personal chattels" clauses in wills.

  • Immovable Property: The contrasting category meaning land and buildings that cannot be moved, governed by different laws in cross-border estates.
  • Chattels: The traditional legal term for movable property, still commonly used in wills with the phrase "all my personal chattels."
  • Art and Collectibles: High-value types of movable property that often exemplify the investment versus personal use distinction.
  • Classic Car: Another valuable category where the investment test matters—cars you drive are movable property, cars stored purely for appreciation may not be.
  • Foreign Assets: Assets in multiple countries where the movable-immovable distinction determines which country's succession law applies.

Need Help with Your Will?

Understanding movable property matters because "all my personal chattels" clauses appear in most wills. Knowing what this includes ensures your furniture, jewellery, vehicles, and personal belongings go to the right people.

Create your will with confidence using WUHLD's guided platform. For just £99.99, you'll get your complete, legally binding will plus three expert guides. Preview your will free before paying anything—no credit card required.

Legal Disclaimer:

This article provides general information only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. WUHLD is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Laws and guidance change and their application depends on your circumstances. For advice about your situation, consult a qualified solicitor or regulated professional. Unless stated otherwise, information relates to England and Wales.