what is dwelling

A dwelling is a self-contained unit of accommodation used by one or more households as a home. It can refer to a variety of structures, including houses, apartments, mobile homes, houseboats, and recreational vehicles. The term "dwelling" is often used in legal and insurance contexts to refer to the primary structure on a property, plus any attached structures. In some cases, the term may also include built-in appliances. The specific definition of a dwelling can vary depending on the context. For example, under English law, a dwelling is defined as a self-contained "substantial" unit of accommodation, such as a building, part of a building, caravan, houseboat, or other mobile home. In North Carolina, a dwelling is defined as a residential structure that contains one to four units, including individual condominium units, cooperative units, manufactured homes, mobile homes, or trailers if they are used as a residence. In surveys, a dwelling is defined as a permanent building or structurally separated part thereof, such as a detached house or unit of an apartment building. Dwelling insurance, also known as dwelling coverage, is a part of homeowners insurance that covers the structure of a home and any attached structures, as well as specific perils that can damage the property.