The right of habitation is a limited real right conferring the power to use a building, or part of it, as a dwelling. As a rule it is inalienable and does not pass to heirs. It is narrower than usufruct: the purpose is residence, not the taking of fruits.
In practice, sükna often appears in the protection of the surviving spouse’s home, in donation contracts and in intra-family arrangements. The office represents clients on annotation or registration of the right, disputes as to scope, and termination.