residence

A residence is a place where a person lives for a significant period or intends to reside, commonly a dwelling such as a house, apartment, condo, or other structure. Residences may be owned or rented and can vary in permanence from temporary stays to long-term homes. The term is distinct from other concepts used in law and policy to describe a person’s location.

Domicile and habitual residence are related legal concepts. Domicile refers to the place a person treats as their permanent home and to which they intend to return, while habitual residence is a standard used in international private law to determine where a person primarily resides for purposes of jurisdiction and legal rights.

Types of residence include a primary residence (the main dwelling where a person lives most of the time) and secondary or additional residences. Housing can be owner-occupied or rented, and may take forms such as detached houses, multiunit buildings, condominiums, cooperatives, rented rooms, student dormitories, or institutional facilities like care homes.

Residency status affects access to services and rights. In many countries, individuals must register their residence for tax, voting, healthcare, and social benefits, and some require a permit or visa to establish long-term residence for non-citizens. Rights and obligations vary with local laws, including tenancy protections, eviction processes, and safety standards.

The concept of residence also intersects with urban planning and housing policy, influencing where people live and how neighborhoods develop.