Houses (Skyrim)

Houses are buildings with sleeping accommodations and containers that are safe for storing items. A house is available for purchase within many of the larger cities in Skyrim; however, permission must be obtained from the city's Jarl before their purchase. There are also a number of other properties throughout Skyrim that can be used as a home.
There is no limit to how many houses the Dragonborn may own. The Dragonborn can ask spouses to move into a house or choose to move into the spouse's house. Children also are able to change houses.
==Benefits of owning a house==
#Sleeping in the Dragonborn's own house grants the Well Rested bonus. If the Dragonborn sleeps in a house where their spouse also lives, they will receive the bonus Lover's Comfort. However, under the effects of the Lycanthropy affliction or having the Lover Stone active, the Dragonborn cannot gain either of these bonuses. If is installed, a rest bonus is also granted when sleeping in a house with adopted children. It grants 25% better healing from spells and potions for 8 hours.
#Containers in an owned house do not reset, so items may be stored inside any of its chests, wardrobes, cupboards, dressers, and others.
#Decorations can be bought for an owned house from the city's steward. Every house's kitchen includes a cooking pot or spit. The Dragonborn may also purchase an alchemy lab for every house. Arcane Enchanters are available for every house except Breezehome in Whiterun.
#Hjerim, Proudspire Manor, and Vlindrel Hall have enough combined bookshelf space between them to hold one of every available book in Skyrim. This does not include diaries, journals, notes, letters, documents, recipes, or spell tomes.
==List of purchasable properties==
===Houses===
Name 	Location 	Price 	Upgrade	Details
Breezehome 	Whiterun 	5000 	1800 	After completing "Bleak Falls Barrow" from Proventus Avenicci or Brill
Hjerim 	Windhelm 	8000–12000†	9000 	Completing "Blood on the Ice" and either "The Battle for Fort Sungard" or the Imperial Legion questline.
Honeyside 	Riften 	5000–8000† 	4300 	Purchased from Anuriel after completing Skooma Trade.
Proudspire Manor 	Solitude 	25000 	11000 	Completing "The Man Who Cried Wolf" and a miscellaneous quest named "Elisif's Tribute" for the Jarl.
Severin Manor 	Raven Rock 	Free 	Free 	Completion of the quest "Served Cold."
Vlindrel Hall 	Markarth 	8000 	4100 	Purchased from Raerek after completing a number of quests for the Jarl including the quest to "Recover Hrolfdir's Shield."
Shadowfoot Sanctum	Riften, The Ratway	7500 	7500 	Purchased from Vekel the Man in the The Ragged Flagon.
 	 	 	 	
===Plots===
With the addition of , plots of land can be bought for 5,000 in order to build a Homestead.
Name 	Hold 	Housecarl	Details
Windstad Manor 	Hjaalmarch	Valdimar 	Purchased from Aslfur, or Pactur if the Stormcloaks have taken Hjaalmarch.
Lakeview Manor 	Falkreath 	Rayya 	Purchased from Nenya, or Tekla if the Stormcloaks have taken Falkreath.
Heljarchen Hall	The Pale 	Gregor 	Purchased from Skald the Elder, or Brina Merilis if the Imperials have taken the Pale.
==Advantages and Disadvantages==
===Breezehome===
Breezehome, in Whiterun, is inexpensive and easily acquired early in the game, but it is the only home that lacks an enchanting table. It and Vlindrel Hall are the only homes that provide adequate storage in the alchemy room. In order to access an Arcane Enchanter in Whiterun, the Dragonborn must exit Breezehome, then head to Dragonsreach on the opposite end of the city. If the Dragonborn is a member of the Thieves Guild, the fence in Whiterun is located outside of the city entirely, at Honningbrew Meadery, making it one of the more inconvenient fences to reach. Breezehome is conveniently close to the town's smelter, blacksmith, alchemist, general goods store, and both taverns. A second smelter can be found at The Companions' headquarters.
===Honeyside===
Honeyside, in Riften, is similarly inexpensive and can be acquired early in the game. Unlike Breezehome, it can be equipped with an enchanting table. Additionally, the Thieves Guild fence, Tonilia, is located in the Ragged Flagon, which requires a significant trip with three transitions to reach from the home. A perk to owning Honeyside is that it comes with a private dock, allowing the Dragonborn to access the home from outside of the city. 
===Vlindrel Hall===
Vlindrel Hall, in Markarth, has both an alchemy table and enchanting table. Smithing amenities are available, including a Smelter, but are located across town. The fence in Markarth, Endon, is located nearby, but moves around and sometimes requires a transition to reach. Vlindrel Hall has the disadvantage of having fewer armor storage mannequins than the other "higher-end" homes, having only one. Vlindrel Hall is a good choice for book collectors as it provides the most book storage (162 books), thanks to three large bookshelves conveniently located next to each other instead of scattered smaller shelves such as in Hjerim.
===Hjerim===
Hjerim, in Windhelm, contains both an Arcane Enchanter and an Alchemy Lab (once upgraded), and is close to smithing amenities, a smelter, and the Windhelm fence, all of which are closely grouped with zero transitions. Niranye, the Windhelm fence, is located outside in a market stall, whereas every other fence (except for Endon in Markarth, sometimes) requires at least one additional transition to reach. Lack of storage space is a concern, as is the very poor lighting in the hidden room containing the Alchemy and Enchanting areas (dropping torches strategically may fix this). Hjerim also takes some of the most work to acquire, as the quest "Blood on the Ice" and part of the Civil War questline must be finished before purchasing the house.
===Proudspire Manor===
Proudspire Manor, in Solitude, is by far the most expensive home in the game, costing 25,000 gold. Solitude itself offers an average selection of shops, however they are located some distance away from the manor. The Solitude fence is located nearby, but will require a transition to reach. One must buy this property to complete the quest "No Stone Unturned" legitimately as one of the Stones of Barenziah is in the bedroom area unless they are using the multiple Stones of Barenziah glitch.
===Severin Manor ===
Severin Manor, in Raven Rock, is a sizable Dunmer home given to the Dragonborn by completing the quest "Served Cold." By default it is fully furnished, and contains an Arcane Enchanter, Alchemy Lab, and Forge, as well as a large storage space, allowing one to unload some unwanted gear without having to leave the island. The downsides are the fact that one must travel from Skyrim to Solstheim to collect the items stored within, and one's spouse cannot move here.
===Shadowfoot Sanctum===
 Shadowfoot Sanctum, in Riften, is a sizable home purchased from Vekel the Man. By default it is fully furnished and contains an Arcane Enchanter, Alchemy Lab, Smelter, Grindstone, Workbench, and Forge. It has a room for children built in along with a hidden entrance to an armory. It also has quick access to the Ragged Flagon. The downsides are that it is hard to access, having to go through the Ragged Flagon or the ratway, or by a secret entrance at the Riften docks, leading to the pool by the forge space.
===Conclusion===
Hjerim can only be acquired upon progressing to a certain point in the Civil War questline while Vlindrel Hall cannot be acquired until at least level 20 and Proudspire Manor is prohibitively expensive for most low-level players. Breezehome and Honeyside are smaller, and each less convenient in some ways, but can be obtained much earlier in the game for the majority of players. Therefore, which house is most advantageous will likely depend upon playstyle and personal preference.
==Faction related houses==
Faction houses are granted free of charge upon joining with a guild. Spouses cannot live with the Dragonborn at these locations unless the spouse is also a member, for instance Aela the Huntress and Onmund being members of the Companions and the College of Winterhold respectively.
The chest and barrel in Kodlak's Quarters in Jorrvaskr in Whiterun can reset, thus permanently deleting all items placed within them after a certain period of time. The wardrobe, cupboard and other containers do not, however.
Name 	Location 	Faction 	Conditions
Apprentice's Quarters 	Hall of Attainment 	College of Winterhold	Available upon enrolling in the College of Winterhold.
Arch-Mage's Quarters 	Hall of the Elements	College of Winterhold	Available upon completing the "The Eye of Magnus."
Companion Quarters 	Jorrvaskr, Whiterun 	The Companions 	Available upon joining the Companions.
Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary 	Outside Falkreath 	Dark Brotherhood 	Available upon joining the Dark Brotherhood (storing items here not recommended if one plans to continue with the quest line.)
Dawnstar Sanctuary 	Outside Dawnstar 	Dark Brotherhood 	Available upon completing the quest "Hail Sithis!."The Master Bedroom upgrade costs 3,000 gold, purchased from Delvin Mallory, as part of a total of 19,000 gold upgrade of the sanctuary.
Kodlak's Quarters 	Jorrvaskr, Whiterun 	The Companions 	Available upon completing the "Glory of the Dead."
Lord Harkon's Quarters 	Castle Volkihar 	Volkihar Clan 	Available after completing "Kindred Judgment."
Nightingale Hall 	Outside Riften 	Thieves Guild 	Available upon completing "Darkness Returns."
The Ragged Flagon - Cistern	Riften 	Thieves Guild 	Available upon joining the Thieves Guild.
==Spouse houses==
The following is a list of all the possible spouses who own property and the conditions required to marry them.
===Male spouses===
Spouse 	Property 	Location 	Conditions
Ainethach 	Karthwasten Hall 	Karthwasten 	Complete his favor.
Balimund 	The Scorched Hammer 	Riften 	Complete his favor.
Filnjar 	Filnjar's House 	Shor's Stone 	Complete his favor.
Gat gro-Shargakh	Pavo's House 	Left Hand Mine	Complete his favor.
Pavo Attius 	Pavo's House 	Left Hand Mine	Complete his favor.
Quintus Navale 	The White Phial 	Windhelm 	Complete "The White Phial."
Revyn Sadri 	Sadri's Used Wares 	Windhelm 	Complete his favor.
Romlyn Dreth 	Romlyn Dreth's House	Riften 	Complete his favor.
Vorstag 	Silver-Blood Inn 	Markarth 	Hire him at least once
Perth 	Miner's House 	The Reach 	Complete his favor.
===Female spouses===
Spouse 	Property 	Location 	Conditions
Aeri 	Aeri's House 	Anga's Mill 	Complete her favor.
Avrusa Sarethi 	Sarethi Farm 	Sarethi Farm 	Complete her favor.
Borgakh the Steel Heart 	Larak's Longhouse 	Mor Khazgur 	Convince her to become a follower.
Camilla Valerius 	Riverwood Trader 	Riverwood 	Complete "The Golden Claw"
Dravynea the Stoneweaver	Braidwood Inn 	Kynesgrove 	Complete her favor.
Gilfre 	Gilfre's House 	Mixwater Mill	Complete her favor.
Mjoll the Lioness 	Aerin's House 	Riften 	Retrieve Grimsever for her.
Muiri 	The Hag's Cure 	Markarth 	Complete "Mourning Never Comes."
Sylgja 	Sylgja's House 	Shor's Stone 	Complete her favor.
Uthgerd the Unbroken 	Uthgerd's House 	Whiterun 	Defeat her in a brawl.
Viola Giordano 	Viola Giordano's House	Windhelm 	Begin Revyn Sadri’s favor, but inform Viola.
Ysolda 	Ysolda's House 	Whiterun 	Bring her one Mammoth Tusk
==Shacks==
Shacks are improvised, but free to use, buildings with at least one bed and one or more containers that will not reset.
Name 	Location 	Price	Details
Abandoned Shack 	North of Morthal 	Free 	This is the shack where the player is taken to during the Dark Brotherhood quest: "With Friends Like These..." Only the chest is a safe container.
Alchemist's Shack	South of Ivarstead 	Free 	A small shack with a working Alchemy Lab. The end table next to the bed is a safe container.
Riverside Shack 	Southwest of Windhelm 	Free 	A small shack that contains the half-eaten remains of the owner. Has one safe wardrobe, a Tanning Rack and a bed the Dragonborn can sleep in.
Anise's Cabin 	Southwest of Riverwood	Free 	Once Anise is dead, the bed can be slept in and all containers offer safe storage. Also features alchemy facility and enchanting table. When in the basement, followers may refuse to interact, saying, "We shouldn't be here."
Traitor's Post 	East of Windhelm 	Free 	Two wardrobes and a cupboard that you can store items in. The chest there resets along with the bandits.
==Other houses==
Name 	Location 	Price	Details
Abandoned House 	Markarth 	Free 	Available upon completion of "The House of Horrors." All containers are safe and do not respawn.
Alvor and Sigrid's House	Riverwood 	Free 	Available if Hadvar is followed during "Unbound."
Faendal's House 	Riverwood 	Free 	While Faendal is a follower. After dismissing him, he will sometimes be found dead in the street. The house remains available, unlike most houses, and each container does not reset.
Goldenglow Estate 	West of Riften 	Free 	Available by intimidating Gulum-Ei in the Thieves Guild quest "Scoundrel's Folly."
Hod and Gerdur's House 	Riverwood 	Free 	Available if Ralof is followed during "Unbound."
Delphine's Secret Room 	Sleeping Giant Inn, Riverwood	Free 	The secret room becomes available during "A Blade in the Dark." The chests in the room are safe containers.
Drelas' Cottage 	South of Morthal 	Free 	Once Drelas is killed, the bed can be used to rest and all containers offer safe storage facilities, as with Anise's Cabin. With an enchanter table and alchemy lab, and no quest being associated with it, the cottage is arguably the best improvised house in the game. Followers will refuse to interact with the player, their only line being "We shouldn't be here." Only Cicero and Serana will have normal dialogue options.
==Achievements and trophies==
==Bugs==
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* An exploit can be used to acquire a house without losing gold; requires possession of the amount of needed to buy the house. Immediately after telling the steward, "I'll take it!," exit the conversation before he finishes talking, store all gold in any nearby chest or drawer. The gold will not be taken, but the Dragonborn will still receive the key and trigger the ownership flag on the house. For example, this can be used to acquire Proudspire Manor (and subsequently any other house one can work this exploit on).
** Using the above exploit may cause weapon racks to become unusable.
** The above exploit can also be used to acquire the decoration upgrades to houses for free.
* Placing items anywhere in one's house freely (ex. tables, dressers, etc.) will often result in the items ending up on the floor nearby upon re-entering the house. This does not include weapon racks, wall mounts, bookshelves, which are placed by activation. Bumping or otherwise moving items which were already placed in the house can also result in them being "unpinned" and free to be strewn about the house. In some cases, re-entering a house will result in a large number of items falling through tables, flying off shelves and become scattered.
* In Hjerim, Vlindrel Hall and Honeyside the mannequins can glitch so if the armor is taken off the mannequin, if the Dragonborn re-enters the house, the armor has been duplicated and will be on the mannequin. This glitch can be used for income, since the armor can be sold.
* Sometimes Sanguine Rose and Wabbajack, when put in the weapon racks, will be stored upside down. The Axe of Whiterun, when put in weapon racks, will be stored perpendicular to the wall.
* If books are placed on a bookshelf in the Dragonborn's home, then read and taken, they will be unable to activate the bookshelf again. Seemingly the only solution is loading a previous autosave.
* Mannequins, weapon racks, weapon plaques, and display cases may bug in differing ways. In all houses, mannequins can become transparent, but putting a necklace on them, exiting the activation screen, and taking it off can fix it temporarily. Racks, plaques, and display cases may all lose their ability to be activated. One known temporary solution is to punch the bugged piece of furniture until the option to "activate" reappears.
** This may be avoided by buying the house and all upgrades at once and then entering the purchased and upgraded house. Although, some minor bugs are still present like mannequins becoming transparent or the Dragonborn's items put in the house can be found scattered all over.
*Sometimes when a house is purchased, the items inside will not be in the Dragonborn's ownership, so every item will have the "steal" option instead of "take," and taking them will be considered stealing by onlookers.
* Sometimes one of the bookshelves will turn invisible. This is only a visual bug/glitch. Could be caused by having books on said shelf when completing a whole quest line. Taking everything off the bookshelf then exiting and reentering the house fixes this. Might only affect the bookshelf right near the entrance in Breezehome and the Companions quest.
* When entering Breezehome some books on bookshelves will disappear entirely resulting in them no longer being on the bookshelf or anywhere at all. The solution is to load the last autosave.
*Sometimes when the Dragonborn enters Heljarchen Hall, and if Alesan is adopted, he will spawn under the table in the main hall.
* Sometimes, mannequins can glitch and move off of their plates. The solution is to simply exit the house.
* If the Dragonborn is listening to a character while entering their house, they may be stuck in their house for a while. There does not appear to be a fix, although after a while, the character might leave, but the time is completely random.
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Category:Skyrim: Houses
Category:Skyrim: Locations