H

Habitation Modeste ≈ Modest Housing Conditions

This is a domicile whose cadastral revenue does not reach a certain level and therefore for whom, in certain conditions, it is possible to obtain a reduction of Record Taxes (‘Droits d’Enregistrement’).

Habitation Principale ≈ Main Residence

This term designates the permanent place of residence of a taxpaying household, as opposed to a secondary household.

Héritier Réservataire ≈ Heir Exempt fromDisinheritance

This is a person who benefits from an inheritance (an heir) and who cannot be disinherited. For example, children cannot be disinherited in France and therefore are ‘héritiersréservataires’.

Hérisson≈ Placed Foundation

These are blocks of material that are posed on the floor underneath the concrete slabs of the foundation that assures premium protection against humidity.

Hors d’Eau ≈ Protected from Water

A building is considered protected from water or ‘hors d’eau’ in France as soon as it’s roof has been put in place.

Hypothèque ≈ Mortgage

A mortgage or ‘hypothèque’, in France, is used to guarantee the payment of a debt contracted on a property. A mortgage allows the borrower to sale, through judiciary procedures, the property he or she is buying in the case where the borrower is not able to make payments.