If fixtures are not removed properly at the end of a lease, what happens to them?

When fixtures are not removed properly at the end of a lease, they typically become the property of the landlord. This principle is rooted in real estate law, where fixtures are considered items that have been permanently attached to the property. When a tenant installs fixtures, such as shelving units or light fixtures, these items often become part of the property itself.

According to the legal concept of "fixtures," once they are affixed to the property, they are generally seen as an integral part of the property and thus belong to the landlord. If the tenant fails to remove these fixtures before leaving, they forfeit their right to claim ownership, and the fixtures remain with the landlord as part of the real estate.

In the context of the other options, selling the fixtures, discarding them, or passing them to the next tenant does not align with real estate conventions. Fixtures are not typically sold by the tenant or given away; instead, they remain with the property unless explicitly agreed otherwise in the lease agreement.