Residence Definition and Legal Meaning

On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Residence, written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.

What is Residence?

(n) Residence is the place where an individual makes his home for his convenience and normal living where he can be traced, located, identified for all legal and contractual obligations, whether or not it is owned by him or he is a permanently dwelling there.

History and Meaning of Residence

The concept of residence dates back to ancient times when people used to live in caves and other natural shelters. With time, humans evolved and learned to build homes using various materials such as wood, stone, and bricks. Today, the term "residence" refers to a place where a person lives permanently or temporarily for the purpose of convenience and normal living. This place can be an owned or rented property, and it must be identifiable for all legal and contractual obligations.

Examples of Residence

  1. John's residence is a three-bedroom apartment in downtown Manhattan that he rents on a monthly basis.

  2. Due to her job, Sarah has to move from one city to another frequently, and she cannot maintain a stable residence anywhere.

  3. The government requires that all citizens have a valid address or residence to receive official correspondence and documents.

  4. Jake's family has been living in their ancestral residence for over a century.

  5. The recent earthquake caused significant damage to many residences in the affected region.

Legal Terms Similar to Residence

  1. Domicile - refers to the permanent residence of a person for legal purposes.

  2. Habitation - refers to a place where a person lives either temporarily or permanently.

  3. Legal residence - refers to a place where a person has officially declared their living arrangements.