DWELLING HOUSE

dwelling house. 1. The house or other structure in which a person lives; a residence or abode.

2.Real estate. The house and all buildings attached to or connected with the house. 3.Criminal law.

A building, a part of a building, a tent, a mobile home, or another enclosed space that is used or

intended for use as a human habitation. • The term has referred to connected buildings in the same

curtilage but now typically includes only the structures connected either directly with the house or

by an enclosed passageway. — Often shortened to dwelling. — Also termed (archaically) mansion

house; (more broadly) dwelling place. [Cases: Burglary    4.C.J.S. Burglary §§ 27–28, 30–37.]

“A ‘dwelling house’ or ‘dwelling’ has been defined in connection with the crime of arson as

any house intended to be occupied as a residence, or an enclosed space, permanent or temporary,

in  which  human  beings  usually  stay,  lodge,  or  reside.  If  a  building  is  not  used  exclusively  as  a

dwelling, it is characterized as a dwelling if there is internal communication between the two parts

of the building. Dwellings include mobile homes and a boat, if the person resides on it.” 5 Am. Jur.

2d Arson and Related Offenses § 13, at 789 (1995).

quasi-dwelling-house.Hist.  Any  outbuilding,  such  as  a  barn,  that  is  in  proximity  to  the

building used as a residence. See BURGLARY(1). [Blacks Law 8th]