Do Shower Rods Stay With the House? (This is What Happens)

When you’re moving, one of the things you have to think about is what stays and what goes. For a lot of people, that means deciding whether or not to bring their shower rod with them. But do shower rods stay with the house? Let’s take a look at what the experts say.

Shower rods are considered a permanent fixture of your home and, therefore, must stay with the house when it is sold. If you would like to keep your shower rods, this is something that will have to be discussed and included in the contract of sale.

It may seem complicated to understand at first. Yet, it’s truly necessary to figure out if you can take shower rods with you. Thus, in this article, we’ll discuss all-things shower rods, what counts as a fixture and what doesn’t, and if your shower curtains also come with the house.

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How to Define a Fixture

We all know a fixture has something to do with the property, the walls, and everything installed within it. But, what counts, legally, as a fixture, and what can we do to identify them?

We’ll discuss the definition of a fixture below, so keep reading!

What is a Fixture?

Legally, a fixture is something that is permanently attached to the house or apartment. In other words, it’s a piece of the house that will stay inside the house. For example, walls, windows, doors, floors, and so on.

Usually, a fixture is installed with the intention to keep it within the house permanently. Therefore, it’s a huge deal to want to take a fixture with you, and it’s not common for moving house owners to pursue this.

For example, you may want to take your precious windows with you, maybe your ceiling fans, or perhaps even the tile floors or walls from your kitchen or bathroom areas. 

For all of these processes, you may need to negotiate with potential buyers and probably invest in building permits because of the nature of the changes that are involved.

What Is Considered An Attachment To The House?

Something is considered an attachment to the house when it is bound to the walls of the house by using nails, screws, glue, or other means. Nevertheless, some removable objects can still be considered an attachment. 

This can include built-in cabinets, built-in speakers, and the like. If an item is considered an attachment, then it cannot be removed without permission.

And, if you desire to remove it, you have to talk with your potential buyer and real estate agent to make adjustments.

What’s An Example Of Fixtures?

Some examples of fixtures include built-in cabinets, integrated lights, sinks, and toilets. When you remove a fixture, there is a high chance that it provokes serious structural changes to the property. 

Some more examples of fixtures are:

• Air conditioners
  
• Built-in electronics
  
• Fences
  
• Chandeliers
  
• Carpeting
  
• Water heater
  
• Heating systems
  
• Windows and window shades, etc.

So, it’s not uncommon to hear that you’d need to negotiate with your buyer if you want to remove them to take them with you.

Besides, it’s more convenient because when you sell your property, you won’t have to deal with further legal proceedings.

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What’s The Difference Between Fixtures And Chattels?

The difference between fixtures and chattels is that fixtures are included with a house when it’s sold, while chattels aren’t. Chattels are movable and often considered more of personal property than a fixture that’s attached to the building.

Chattels can be bought with the house if it is included in the official sales agreement, which is called the agreement of purchase and sale or APS.

Fixtures are normally already included in the APS unless another agreement has been made.

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Is A Shower Curtain Considered A Fixture?

A shower rod is considered a fixture, but a shower curtain isn’t. Removing the shower rods could damage the property, so it’s considered a fixture. But, shower curtains can be added and removed without problem, so it’s personal property. 

A shower curtain rod is considered a fixture because, originally, it was installed with the intention for it to remain attached to the house’s walls.

Therefore, if you remove a shower curtain rod, you risk damaging the current structure of the property.

Parts of a Shower that Comes With a House

Fixtures are part of the property permanently, which is why you can’t remove them without making an agreement with your prospective buyer.

So, for you to understand what parts of a shower you can take, you have to know which parts come with the house! Let’s dig in…

Do Shower Curtains Come With A House?

Shower curtains rarely come with the house. The only things that come with a house are usually fixtures, which are a permanent attachment. Since removing them can cause damage to the property, you can’t attempt to do it without guidance or permission.

Shower curtains do not count as fixtures because they can be easily removed from the property without damaging it.

Therefore, you are allowed to remove shower curtains when leaving a home unless stated otherwise in the buying agreement.

You might also enjoy our post on How to Keep Your Shower Curtain From Falling Down

Do You Leave Shower Curtain Rods When You Move?

Shower curtain rods are considered fixtures; therefore, you must leave them at the house when you move. Removing them will cause damage to a property, which is why they’re considered fixtures in the first place.

If you were to try to remove a shower curtain rod, it could leave damage to the house. Luckily, you can try to do so if you make an agreement with the buyers of the house before closing the deal.

Make sure to hire a good real estate agent that can guide you.

Do Shower Rods Stay With The House?

Shower rods must stay with the house because they are fixtures. Fixtures are meant to stay permanently within the property or its premises. So, we can learn from this that shower rods aren’t meant to be removed. 

A shower rod could damage the walls of a house if it were to be removed.

If you still wish to take your shower rods with you when you move, you must negotiate it with the buyers and have it written in the sales agreement.

Are Shower Curtain Rods Considered Personal Property?

Shower curtain rods are not considered personal property. They are attached to the walls of the house, so this means that they are permanent fixtures of a house. If removed without consent, you risk damaging the house walls, and this could lead you to trouble.

If your heart is set on taking your shower curtain rod with you, you can make an agreement with the house’s buyers to bring the rod with you when you move out.

Additionally, you can learn more about the matter with a good real estate agent that can tell you the pros and cons of it.

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Is It Okay If The Seller Took Shower Rod?

It’s not okay for the seller to take shower rods with them without a prior agreement that must be included in the sales deal. The reason for it is that a shower rod is not personal property but a fixture of the house, so they don’t hold legal rights to it.

If the seller doesn’t follow the proper sales practices when putting their house on the market, they risk getting into huge misunderstandings that sometimes may even lead them to court proceedings. 

So, if they wanted to take the shower rods, they should’ve specified it in the sales agreement in the first place, especially because it counts as a fixture of the property, and thus it should’ve stayed.

Do Shower Curtain Rods Come With A House?

Shower rods do come with a house. If your house does not have a shower rod, consider inquiring the sellers about it. If you both have not come to a previous agreement, the rod counts as a fixture of the house.

Not following real estate guidelines when selling a home can lead a seller to have misunderstandings with their buyers. 

Since the fixture (in this case, a shower curtain rod) is included within the purchase of the house, removing them without warning can bring drastic and legal consequences.

Should I Ask Seller If They Want To Keep Shower Curtain Rod?

You can ask a seller if they want to keep the shower curtain rod, although it’s not very common. A curtain rod is normally left in a house when someone moves. This is because they count as a fixture of the house.

If a shower curtain rod is removed, it can leave damage on your property. Shower curtain rods are meant to be left in their place permanently, so it is natural to assume that they would stay in the home.

Your seller will probably come to you if they want to keep their shower rod.

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Is It Proper Moving Etiquette To Leave A Shower Curtain Rod?

It is proper moving etiquette to leave a shower curtain rod. A curtain rod is a fixture of the house so it is normally left there when you leave. Additionally, if not notified, it can be interpreted as if the rod was included in the purchase of the property.

A shower curtain rod is part of the house permanently and is legally considered a fixture of the home.

Since it originally will be included within the sales agreement, a seller can’t remove it without consulting with the buyers.

If the seller fails to negotiate the shower rods with their buyers, they risk having to confront legal proceedings because these types of unexpected changes can affect the current value of a home.

What Comes With A House?

So, now you’ve finally gotten out of your house, and you are looking to move into your new one.  But, what comes naturally with a house? Let’s talk about it below!

What Else Comes With A House When Newly Bought?

There are a variety of things that come with a home when it is newly bought. These things can include any built-ins, above-ground pools, mailboxes, pool equipment, light fixtures, and other kinds of ceiling fans. 

Basically, all things that are classified as fixtures are left in the home. Fixtures are pieces of furniture or items that are built in or installed into the home.

Legally, a fixture is identified as a piece of property that, if removed, can cause damage to the home.

What Can You Leave Behind When You Move House?

You can leave permanent attachments or fixtures when you move houses, including anything built-in or mounted, any hardware, alarm systems, and smoke alarms. Moreover, you can also leave appliances, custom play structures, light fixtures, curtains, and rugs behind.

Of course, if there is something that you really want to take with you, don’t hesitate to negotiate it with the buyers.

Additionally, you shouldn’t leave random and unnecessary things behind since it may become a stressful cleaning for the new buyer.

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How Do You Leave A House For New Owners?

When leaving a house for new owners, there are several things you will need to do. Your home should be thoroughly inspected and checked. Likewise, you should leave cans of paint for the new owners so they can get to use them.

The house should be clean and free of clutter before you leave the house for the last time. Make sure to not leave any furniture or items.

The last thing you should do is leave a homeowners manual of sorts. 

Usually, you will need to have the house inspected when you are in the process of selling your house.

But if this was not a part of your process in the first place, be sure to get this done before you leave the house for the last time. It’s important to ensure the safety of the home.

You must ensure to leave leftover cans of paint for the new owners. Often, in the process of moving large items of furniture, paint on doors and walls can get scratched. 

You might not see these small marks at the moment, but new owners will, and they won’t like it very much. So, it is best to leave the paint that was previously used just in case they want to do some touchups. 

Essentially, the most important thing you need to do before you leave a house is clean it. It is just rude to leave a filthy house for new buyers.

Plus, it’s not okay to leave unwanted furniture or items in the house. That is also very impolite and is an inconvenience to the new buyers. 

A nice thing to do when leaving a house is to provide some sort of homeowners manual. Make sure to provide instructions for any appliances, alarm systems, and the like.

Also, make sure to include necessary telephone numbers, like a trusted plumber’s or an electrician’s number. 

What Do I Have To Leave When I Sell My House?

As a general rule, everything that is installed, bolted, or attached to a property must be left when you sell your home. Things such as shower curtain rods, chandeliers, sinks, and built-in mirrors fall under this category.

If you want to keep anything that counts as this, you should remove it before listing the house anywhere.

For example, if you wanted to keep your chandelier, you would need to remove it and replace it with a different chandelier before putting the house on the market. 

What Should Sellers Leave For Buyers?

Sellers should leave buyers the house keys, any manuals for appliances in the house, window accessories, mirrors, light fixtures, remote controls, extra paint, and pool supplies. Any fixtures in the house should be left behind. 

A fixture can be classified as anything that is built into your home. Anything that damages the property if removed, or attempted to be removed, is legally counted as a fixture.

If you want to take any fixtures with you, be sure to remove them before putting your house on the market or negotiate with your buyers to include them in the agreement of purchase and sale.

What Appliances Do You Have To Leave When Selling A House?

You don’t have to leave many appliances when selling a home, but it will all depend on whether they count as a fixture or not. If the appliance is easily removable and won’t cause damage to the property, then you can take it with you. 

However, built-in appliances, such as an oven, must be left behind when selling your house. They will damage the home if removed, so it counts as a fixture.

If you want to be sure, consult with a realtor that can give you guidance on what’s a fixture and what’s not.

You might also enjoy our post on Can You Put a Mirror in the Shower?

Related Questions

Do You Leave TV Wall Mounts When You Move?

You must leave TV wall mounts behind when you move houses because they legally count as a fixture, and it is likely to damage the wall. The seller doesn’t get to choose whether it stays or not unless stated within the sales agreement.

However, if you would like to take your TV mount with you, it wouldn’t hurt to talk to your buyers about it.

You can exclude this attachment from the purchase within the sales agreement, so long as they agree to your request.

Do You Have To Fill Screw Holes When You Move?

You aren’t required to fill in screw holes when you move, but it’s a considerate thing to do. Your buyers could be very upset if they find that the walls are damaged when they move in. So, the least you can do is fill them so that it’s easy for the buyers to paint them.

Even though it’s not required, filling screw holes is a very nice thing to do for new house owners.

Generally, you should try to leave your house in good condition before you leave, so the new house owners can make themselves a good home.

Do You Have To Leave Shelves When You Move?

Shelves must be left behind when you move because they also count as a fixture. This is because they are attached to the wall and are intended to stay there permanently, so if you try to remove them, you may damage the property.

If you feel particularly attached to the shelves in your home, you can either remove them before you put the house on the market, or you can try to ask your buyers about not including them in the agreement.

Final Thoughts

Shower rods stay with the house because they count as fixtures. Fixtures are attachments or property build-ups that are meant to stay permanently within a home.

Therefore, if you remove them, you may damage the home and decrease the value of your property in the process.

And, you should always consult with prospective buyers before planning on removing anything that may count as a fixture, so you can avoid legal proceedings.

Additionally, all of these doubts are best resolved by consulting with a proper real-estate agent that can give you proper guidelines when putting your house on the market.

Hopefully, your house will sell soon and with a smooth-ending process.