Glossary

H

HALF-TIMBERED – House construction where the timber frame of walls is exposed, the space in between filled with masonry of lath and plaster; also, simulated half-timbering is where boards are applied on plaster walls. Half-timbering the distinguishing characteristic of Elizabethan style of architecture.

HALL – A room at the entrance of a building or a passage providing access to various parts of a building. A large room used for public gatherings.

HARD FINISH – The final smooth finished coat of plaster, which is applied in rough plastering.

HECTARE – The metric measure for an area of land measuring 10,000 square metres (approximately 2.47 acres).

HIGH RISE – An indefinite term, but generally understood to mean a structure, may be an office block or residential building, higher than three or four storeys, usually requiring a life and requiring heavy construction methods. When referring to very large office buildings, the term skyscraper is more applicable.

HIGH SET – A house typical of some in Queensland usually of timber construction erected on wooden stumps or concrete or brick piers. The section under the house is often enclosed to provide laundry, and garage accommodation as well as clothes drying area, storage shaded play area for children and recreation.

HOLDING DEPOSIT – An amount given by a buyer to the estate agent acting for the seller. It shows the buyer's serious commitment to the property, but is not compulsory and is refundable if the offer is rejected.

HOME UNITS – A self contained dwelling unit in a multi unit residential development building individually owned, usually occupied by the owner, although not infrequently tenanted. Known in some States as Own Your Own flats.

HOUSEHOLD INSURANCE – Insurance against all risks including theft, weather damage and fire. Because the purchaser becomes the legal owner immediately on the exchange of contracts, household insurance should be taken at this point.