Meaning & use
fixtures and fittings
Last updated
Meanings
phraseplural
The permanent items attached to a building, such as sinks, shelves, and light fittings, that are sold or rented with it.
Grammar: Always plural and used with a plural verb: 'The fixtures and fittings were listed in the contract.'
Patterns
- fixtures and fittings are included
- the fixtures and fittings of a house
- sell something with fixtures and fittings
The price of the apartment includes all fixtures and fittings, so we do not need to buy a new kitchen.
Before you sign the lease, check which fixtures and fittings are the landlord's responsibility.
The old office was rented out with basic fixtures and fittings but no furniture.
phrasepluralbusinesstechnical
The equipment and small parts that are fixed in place and needed for a place to work properly.
Grammar: Also plural, often used in business or technical contexts to mean the standard installed equipment of a room or vehicle.
Patterns
- standard fixtures and fittings
- fixtures and fittings in a factory
- replace the fixtures and fittings
The new laboratory came with modern fixtures and fittings, including safety showers and storage cabinets.
The boat's fixtures and fittings were damaged in the storm, but the engine was fine.
We need to upgrade the fixtures and fittings in the staff kitchen.
Common combinations
- fixtures and fittings included
- The advertisement said 'fixtures and fittings included', which meant the washing machine stayed.
- fixtures and fittings list
- The lawyer asked for a full fixtures and fittings list before the sale completed.
- remove fixtures and fittings
- Tenants are not allowed to remove any fixtures and fittings without permission.
- fixtures and fittings allowance
- The buyer received a fixtures and fittings allowance to replace the old carpets.
Synonyms and how they differ
- fixtures
- Often used alone to mean the same permanent items, but 'fixtures and fittings' is the full legal phrase that also covers smaller installed parts.
- fittings
- Can refer to the same items, but it is less common alone and usually appears in the fixed phrase.
- appurtenances
- A very formal legal word for things that belong to a property; it is much rarer and sounds old-fashioned compared with 'fixtures and fittings'.
Commonly confused: fixtures and fittings or furniture? fixtures and fittings or equipment?
fixtures and fittings vs furniture
Furniture means movable items like chairs and tables, while fixtures and fittings are fixed to the building and usually stay when you move out.
fixtures and fittings vs equipment
Equipment is a general word for tools or machines, not necessarily attached to a building; fixtures and fittings are specifically installed items.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'fixtures and fittings' correctly?
Choose one answer.
The phrase is plural, so it takes a plural verb 'are'. Option A uses a singular verb, option C uses a singular past verb, and option D changes 'fittings' to the singular 'fitting', which breaks the fixed phrase.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “fixtures and fittings”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.