eric_
To map Edinburgh, we used/use the current possible values, i.e. mostly detached, house, apartments, residential, garage/garages, and if unknown or if there is a mix between flats and offices for example, we used yes. We tried to avoid the use of "terrace" or similar values.
I agree with you, SK53, that this typology is sometimes too generic but there is no better option at the moment in the OSM specifications.
As OSM represents the world as it is now, I'm slightly surprised by the use of building:use in the OSM specifications. I'd prefer something like building=apartments (to reflect what it is now) and building:type=church/pub (to reflect what it was), with a lot of possible values for building:type, including mews.