Final answer:
IRMA refers to the four legal tests - Intent of the annexor, Relationship or adaptation, Method of annexation, and Agreement of the parties - used by courts to determine the classification between real property and personal property.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question, "What are the four tests used by courts to determine if an item is real property or personal property?" refers to the legal concept of property classification. The acronym IRMA stands for the four tests: Intent of the annexor, Relationship or adaptation of the item, Method of annexation, and Agreement of the parties. These are essential in determining whether an item should be treated as part of the real estate (real property) or as personal property.
Intent of the annexor considers whether the person who installed or placed the item on the property intended for it to remain permanently or to be removable. Relationship or adaptation assesses how the item is tailored to the specific use of the property, such as custom cabinetry built into a home. Method of annexation looks at how the item is attached to the property; for instance, whether it can be easily removed without causing damage. Finally, the Agreement between parties, typically found in a contract or sale, may clearly define whether an item is considered real or personal property.