Flat

A floor or story in a building, fitted up especially for a dwelling, so that each suite of apartments contains all the requirements of a home. A single floor is often divided into two or more apartments; and four, six, or even more of these dwellings open upon one stairway. This system has long been in use in Europe, and particularly on the Continent, but recently has been more commonly adopted in England and America, not only for the poorer classes, but also among the rich.

 In New York, especially in the uppermost part, and other American cities many elegant buildings have been erected of late years, which far surpass anything of the kind in Europe. The size of such buildings, as well as their convenience, is increasing each year. Each suite has its private hall, extensive drawing-rooms, dining-room, butler's pantry, bath, kitchen with all conveniences, electric bells, and elevators. In some American cities, especially New York, local usage distinguishes between a flat and an apartment, restricting the former term to the cheaper suites of rooms, in which there is no elevator, hall service, or restaurant, each or all of which conveniences may be looked for in an "apartment." See APARTMENT HOUSE.

Boarding House

The legal liability of a boarding-house keeper differs from that of an innkeeper (q.v.)) in three important respects. The first difference is due to the fact that he does not hold himself out as engaged in a common public employment. Consequently, he is at liberty to reject any person who may apply for accommodations, whether his house is full or not. No person has a right to insist upon boarding with him until a special agreement has been made between them. In the second place, a boardinghouse keeper is not subject to the extraordinary liability for his patrons' property which rests upon an innkeeper for the chattels of his guests. He is bound to exercise only such care of it as an ordinarily prudent man would take of his own property in similar circumstances. But that degree of care the boarding-house keeper is legally bound to exercise, at least over his boarders' goods which are fairly within his custody.

 In the third place, the keeper of a boarding-house has no lien on his boarders' property for bills owing by them, at common law, although by statute in some jurisdictions a lien has been accorded. It is held, generally, that a boarding-house keeper impliedly undertakes that his premises are reasonably fit for occupation. It is not necessary that he make that statement in express terms. His offer of the premises to boarders is a representation that they are fit for such use.