What are chattel houses in Barbados?

In Barbados, chattel houses are small, traditional wooden homes that are a distinctive feature of the island's settlement patterns. These structures are typically found in "tenantries," which are clusters of houses located on the borders of large estates.1

The term "chattel" refers to movable personal property. Consistent with this definition, chattel houses are usually owned by the occupants but stand on rented land. Because they are designed to be easily disassembled or moved, the owners can relocate their homes to different sites if necessary. While these houses are historic in design, most modern examples are equipped with electricity and running water.21