Habendum clause - That part of the deed beginning with the words "to have and to hold," following the granting clause and reaffirming the extent of ownership that the grantor is transferring.

Habitable - Being fit to live in. The residential landlord has an obligation to keep the leased premises in a habitable condition.

Half bath - Also called a powder room, a half bath contains a toilet and a sink but no bathtub or shower stall.

Hazard insurance - This provision of homeowners insurance covers damage by fire, wind or other disaster. Required by all lenders before loan approval.

Header  - Crossbeams above windows and doors.

Heat pump - An electric cooling and heating system.

Hectare - The equivalent of 2.471 acres.

Heir - A person who inherits under a will or a person who succeeds to property by the laws of descent if the decedent dies without a will (intestate).

High density - The concentration of housing units in a specific area or on a specific property.

Highest and best use - That use which, at the time of appraising the property, is most likely to produce the greatest net return to the land and/or the building over a given period of time.

Hip roof - A pitched roof with sloping sides.

Historic preservation - The physical rehabilitation of a historic home or building, and the movement of the same name begun in the 1960s in the U.S. to preserve and protect landmarks and urban neighborhoods.

Historic structure  - A home or building listed in the National Register of Historic Places and certified as historic by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior.

Hold harmless clause - A clause inserted in a contract whereby one party agrees to indemnify and protect the other party from any injuries or lawsuits arising out of the particular transaction.

Holdover tenant - One who stays on the leased premises after his lease has expired. The landlord normally has the choice of evicting the holdover tenant or permitting him to remain and continue to pay rent.

Home equity conversion mortgage - Loans made to older owners who want to convert equity into money. Because borrowers are qualified on the basis of the value of their home, the loan is not the same as a home equity loan. Also known as reverse mortgages.

Home equity loan - A loan that allows owners to borrow against the equity in their homes.

Home inspection  - An examination of a home's construction, condition and internal systems by an inspector or contractor prior to purchase.

Home rule - The power of a local government to adopt its own land use regulations. use regulations.

Home warranty - A type of insurance that covers repairs to certain parts of a house and some fixtures.

Homeowners' insurance - This insurance includes hazard coverage for any damages that may affect the value of a house, in addition to personal liability and theft coverage.

Homeowners' warranty - Special insurance policies that cover certain home repairs for a specified amount of time.

Homestead - A home, which is used as a personal residence.

Homesteading - A document that to protects some of a home's equity from lawsuits.

Hopper window - A window that contains a single sash that tilts inward.

Hose bibb - A threaded faucet connection for devices such as a washing machine.

House rules - Rules of conduct adopted by a board of directors of a condominium and designed to promote harmonious living among the owners and occupants.

House wrap - A polyethylene barrier wrapped around a house to save energy.

Housing discrimination - The illegal practice of denying an individual or group the right to buy or rent a home based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability or family status.

Housing expense ratio - The percentage of gross monthly income devoted to housing costs.

Hypothecate - To pledge specific real or personal property as security for an obligation, without surrendering possession of it.