In law, a
dwelling (also
residence,
abode) is a self-contained unit of accommodation used by one or more
households as a
home, such as a
house,
apartment,
mobile home,
houseboat or other 'substantial'
structure. A dwelling typically includes nearby outbuildings, sheds etc. within the
curtilage of the property, excluding any '
open fields beyond'. It has significance in relation to
search and seizure,
conveyancing of
real property,
burglary,
trespass, and
land use planning.