Houses in Skyrim are buildings in which you may sleep and safely store items in non-respawning containers. Several major cities have houses available for purchase of varying size, quality, and cost. There is no limit to how many homes you may own, only a limit on how many houses are available. If you get married, you have the option of having your spouse move in with you.
Sleeping in your house provides the Well Rested bonus, a 10% boost to skill increases for 8 in-game hours. Sleeping in your house with your spouse provides the Lover's Comfort bonus, a 15% boost to skill increases for 8 hours. It also rejuvenates your Health and Magicka. You will not gain any rested bonus if you have the Beast Blood effect from becoming a werewolf or have the Lover Stone activated.
City HousesEdit
Location | Name | Housecarl | Full Upgrade Cost | Total Cost | Bookshelves | Shield Plaques | Weapon Plaques | Display Cases | Mannequins | Weapon Racks | Storage Spaces | Features | |
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Whiterun | Breezehome | Lydia | 5,000 | 1,550 to 1,800 | 6,550 to 6,800 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 (2 slots) | 18 | Alchemy Lab |
Riften | Honeyside | Iona | 5,000 to 8,000† | 3,850 to 4,300 | 8,850 to 12,300 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 1 (4 slots) | 12 | Alchemy Lab Arcane Enchanter Tanning Rack |
Markarth | Vlindrel Hall | Argis | 8,000 | 3,900 to 4,200 | 11,900 to 12,200 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 2 (2 slots) | 28 | Alchemy Lab Arcane Enchanter |
Windhelm | Hjerim | Calder | 8,000 to 12,000† | 9,000 to 10,250 | 17,000 to 22,250 | 12 | 2 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 1 (5 slots) | 29 | Alchemy Lab Arcane Enchanter |
Solitude | Proudspire Manor | Jordis | 25,000 | 11,000 to 14,000 | 36,000 to 39,000 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 (5 slots and 2 slots) | 15 | Alchemy Lab Arcane Enchanter |
BreezehomeEdit
Located in Whiterun, right next to Warmaiden's and near the main gate, is Breezehome. The house has two storeys, but is very small. However, Breezehome is the cheapest of all purchasable houses in the game and makes for an excellent starter home. The home's proximity to a blacksmith is very convenient for players who need Smithing amenities nearby. It features more storage space than Honeyside and Proudspire Manor, but doesn't have any mannequins. The house can be upgraded with an alchemy lab, but it is the only house that cannot contain an arcane enchanter. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
†Child's Bedroom only available if Hearthfire is installed. Choosing this upgrade will replace the Alchemy Laboratory.
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HoneysideEdit
Honeyside is a two-story house located in the northwest corner of Riften. The house is small, but slightly larger than Breezehome. One unique feature is that it has access from both within the city, and from a dock outside the city walls. This makes Honeyside a useful home for players who wish to avoid loading screens or players who are vampires as the house can be entered without attracting any attention or even venturing into the city. Another unique feature of Honeyside is that it can be upgraded to have a large garden, with many harvestable plants. Coupled with the home's close proximity to Elgrim's Elixirs, this makes Honeyside an especially useful house for alchemists. However, the house has the least amount of storage of any of the properties. The house can be upgraded to feature an alchemy lab, arcane enchanter and a tanning rack. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
‡Child's Bedroom only available if Hearthfire is installed. Choosing this upgrade will replace the enchanting laboratory. You can switch back and forth between the Enchanting Laboratory and Children's Bedroom at will.
‡‡Fish from Temperate Lakes can be caught here
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Vlindrel HallEdit
Vlindrel Hall is located high above Markarth, in the northeast corner of the city. The house is spacious and, like the rest of the city, features Dwemer architecture. It can be upgraded to contain harvestable plants, display cases, three weapon racks, one mannequin, an alchemy lab, and an arcane enchanter. It has the largest amount of bookshelf space of any purchasable home, which is great for displaying your collection of books. |
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†The Child's Bedroom is only available if Hearthfire is installed. Choosing this upgrade will replace the Alchemy Lab and is repeatably reversible.
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HjerimEdit
In its most basic state, Hjerim in Windhelm features little more than a wardrobe, bed, and a chest. However the upgrades available for Hjerim make it arguably one of the most desirable houses in the game, featuring the largest amount of storage space, a large armory with several display cases, plaques and mannequins, and a large amount of bookshelf space. Hjerim also features a secret chamber, which can be turned into an Alchemy and Enchanting room. You must complete Blood on the Ice before you can decorate Hjerim. Hjerim is also the only house whose purchase depends on taking part in Skyrim's Civil War: Ulfric Stormcloak will not grant the right to purchase property in the city, nor offer the prospect of becoming Thane of Eastmarch, until you've proved your loyalty to him by capturing Falkreath Hold from the Imperials - and the only alternative is to depose him, which means winning the war for the Imperials and installing Brunwulf Free-Winter as Jarl. |
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†8,000 gold minimum to purchase. However the steward will take your full gold amount at the time of purchase, up to 12,000.
‡Bones and blood stains will remain, regardless of upgrades, until this is purchased. Purchasing the living room upgrade beforehand will remove this option for purchase (see Hjerim bugs).
††Child's Bedroom only available if Hearthfire is installed. Choosing this upgrade will create a new room in the hall outside of the hidden enchanting/alchemy room, making the entrance to the hidden room inside the children's room.
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Proudspire ManorEdit
Next to the Bards College in Solitude stands Proudspire Manor. Featuring three stories, it is by far the most expensive house in the game. The closest fast travel point is not Solitude itself but the Blue Palace. Despite its mammoth cost and grand design, the house is in many ways inferior to the other houses, featuring little storage space and no display cases. However, it is situated close to merchants and other important buildings in Solitude, and also comes with its own safe. There is an unusual gem in the Bedroom. |
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†Child's Bedroom only available if Hearthfire is installed. Choosing this upgrade will create a new room next to the master bedroom.
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Hearthfire HousesHFEdit
With the Hearthfire add-on, it is possible to construct and furnish your very own house. Three unique plots of land are available to build a house on throughout Skyrim, and the rooms of each house may be customized, with the houses potentially becoming larger than any of the city houses. Unique to the Hearthfire homes is that personal stewards may be recruited to serve each property, acquiring additional staff and furnishing the homes. Bards and private carriage drivers can also be hired. The purchase of land for the Hearthfire houses does not add to the "Houses Owned" number in the game statistics.
Heljarchen HallEdit
The land for Heljarchen Hall lies north of Loreius Farm and west of Blizzard Rest. The land can be purchased from the Jarl of Dawnstar who resides in The White Hall. A unique aspect of this property is that you have the option of constructing a grain mill, allowing wheat to be converted into flour. This plot of land becomes available after you finish Waking Nightmare and kill a giant. |
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Lakeview ManorEdit
South of Lake Ilinalta, between Falkreath and Riverwood lies the plot for Lakeview Manor. The land can be purchased from the steward at the Jarl's Longhouse in Falkreath. A unique aspect of this property is that you have the option of constructing an apiary, from which honeycombs and bees can be harvested. This plot of land becomes available after you kill some bandits. |
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Windstad ManorEdit
The potential location for Windstad Manor is between the Abandoned Shack and High Gate Ruins. The land can be purchased from the steward at Highmoon Hall in Morthal. A unique aspect of Windstad Manor is that a fish hatchery can be built to the north of the property, allowing you to breed and harvest varieties of fish. This plot of land becomes available after you finish Laid to Rest. |
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Dragonborn HousesDBEdit
Severin ManorEdit
Severin Manor is located in Raven Rock, on Solstheim. Initially it is occupied by Mirri, Tilisu, and Vendil Severin. It can be later awarded to you by Councilor Morvayn as a quest reward for Served Cold. Severin Manor is the only house you can own on Solstheim and features a number of differences from other houses in the game: it is not possible for spouses, stewards, or adopted children to live here, it does not have a housecarl, and it does not have any available upgrades. However, Severin Manor does come complete with fully stocked enchanting, alchemy and armory areas. The house also has several beds you can use and boasts plentiful storage, as well as weapon plaques, display cases and mannequins. In addition, this is the only house you can get for free that doesn't require Creation Club content. A downside is that the eerie music doesn't change with ownership (see bugs). |
Creation Club HousesCCEdit
Bloodchill CavernCCEdit
Bloodchill Cavern is added by the Bloodchill Manor Creation. It is a vampire's mansion found inside a cave to the east of Snowpoint Beacon. It can be earned by completing the related quest and comes fully furnished. |
Dead Man's DreadCCEdit
Dead Man's Dread is a ship added by the Dead Man's Dread Creation. It can be found in an underground grotto on the secluded Blackbone Isle and can be converted into a player home after completing the quest The Restless. It comes fully furnished. |
Gallows HallCCEdit
Gallows Hall is added by the Gallows Hall Creation. It is a necromancer's hideout found on the north side of Mara's Eye Pond. It can be earned by completing the related quest and comes fully furnished. It also has the unique feature of allowing you to have a 3rd (or second without twin souls) permanent summon, with 5(?) possible summons who will stay with you until they die. |
Goldenhills PlantationCCEdit
Goldenhills Plantation is added by the Farming Creation. It is an abandoned farmstead found to the east of Rorikstead. It can be earned by completing the related quest. A unique feature of Goldenhills Plantation is that it can be expanded to grow crops and raise livestock. |
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‡The Child's Bedroom and the Library/Display Room are exclusive, as they occupy the same room. You can switch from the Library/Display Room to the Child's Bedroom for 500 gold. However, once selected, you cannot change the Child's Bedroom to the Library/Display Room.
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HendraheimCCEdit
Hendraheim is added by the Hendraheim Creation. It is an ancient Nordic hall found nestled in the mountains south of Fort Sungard. It can be earned by completing the related quest and comes fully furnished. Your spouse and adopted children can also be moved into the property. |
MyrwatchCCEdit
Myrwatch is added by the Myrwatch Creation. It is an abandoned wizard's tower found out in the marsh east of Morthal. It can be earned by completing the related quest and comes fully furnished. The tower has two levels, with extensive storage space as well as many crafting stations: a smelting pot, grindstone, tanning rack, workbench, alchemy lab, arcane enchanter, cooking pot, staff enchanter, and a unique anvil known as the All Forge which can be used to craft items that are usually only craftable elsewhere. Your spouse and adopted children can also be moved into the property. |
NchuanthumzCCEdit
Nchuanthumz is added by the Nchuanthumz: Dwarven Home Creation. It is a Dwarven ruin found in Frostroot Cave to the north of Kagrenzel. It can be earned by completing the related quest. |
Shadowfoot SanctumCCEdit
Shadowfoot Sanctum is added by the Shadowfoot Sanctum Creation. It is a small underground player home found in the Ratway beneath Riften. It can be purchased from Vekel the Man for 7,500 gold. It comes fully furnished and has extensive storage facilities, shrines to several Divines, as well as many different crafting stations: a smelter, anvil, grindstone, tanning rack, workbench, alchemy lab, arcane enchanter, cooking pot, and oven. Your spouse and adopted children can also be moved into the property. |
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Tundra HomesteadCCEdit
Tundra Homestead is added by the Tundra Homestead Creation. It is a small cottage found just east of Whiterun and can be purchased from the city steward for 7,500 gold. It comes fully furnished and has extensive storage facilities in the basement, shrines to several Divines, as well as many different crafting stations: a smelter, anvil, grindstone, tanning rack, workbench, alchemy lab, arcane enchanter, cooking pot, and a baking surface. Your spouse and adopted children can also be moved into the property. |
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Faction ResidencesEdit
Joining a faction will usually confer the benefit of allowing use of their facilities, and many will offer a place to sleep and store items. Rising through the ranks of some factions will result in additional or improved lodgings, and becoming leader of the faction will bestow full command of their headquarters.
Faction | Residence | Location | Details |
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Blades | Sky Haven Temple | The Reach | Temple available upon completing Alduin's Wall, during the main quest. Not available if you side against the Blades over the Paarthurnax issue. |
College of Winterhold | Hall of Attainment | Winterhold | Room available upon completing First Lessons, to join the College of Winterhold. |
Arch-Mage's Quarters | Quarters available upon completing The Eye of Magnus, and becoming Arch-Mage. | ||
Companions | Jorrvaskr Living Quarters | Whiterun | Bed available upon completing Take Up Arms, to join the Companions. |
Harbingers Room | Room available upon completing Glory of the Dead, and becoming Harbinger | ||
Dark Brotherhood | Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary | Falkreath Hold | Bed available after completing Sanctuary for the Dark Brotherhood or completing Destroy the Dark Brotherhood! |
Dawnstar Sanctuary | Dawnstar | Sanctuary available after completing Hail Sithis! and becoming Listener. Sanctuary can be upgraded during Where You Hang Your Enemy's Head... | |
Thieves Guild | The Ragged Flagon Cistern | Riften | Bed and chest available upon completing Taking Care of Business, to join the Thieves Guild. Furniture upgraded after becoming Guildmaster. |
Nightingale Hall | The Rift | Hall available upon completing Darkness Returns, and joining the Nightingales. | |
DawnguardDG | Fort DawnguardDG | Fort available after Bloodline if you reject Lord Harkon's gift, and side with the Dawnguard. | |
Volkihar Vampire ClanDG | Volkihar KeepDG | Haafingar | Keep available after Bloodline if you accept Lord Harkon's gift, and side with the Volkihar vampire clan. |
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Fort Dawnguard, in Dayspring Canyon
Spouse HousesEdit
In addition, if you get married, certain NPC spouses have homes you can live, sleep and store items in. Please see the Marriage page for more details.
Female property owners: |
Male property owners: |
Free ShacksEdit
There are several empty shacks around Skyrim, many of which contain a bed and at least one non-respawning container, making them useful as a home until you are able to purchase one:
- Alchemist's Shack, near Ivarstead, has an end table that is safe for storage. It also has the benefit of an alchemy lab.
- Meeko's Shack, west-northwest of Morthal, has an end table that is safe for storage. The barrel and shelves respawn, however, regularly filling the house with junk.
- Riverside Shack, southwest of Windhelm along the White River, has one safe wardrobe and a bed.
- Abandoned Shack, east of Solitude, will remain accessible after you complete either of its associated quests. It contains an unowned bed, but no safe containers.
- Traitor's Post, east of Windhelm, has two wardrobes and a cupboard that you can store items in. The chest there respawns along with the bandits.
- Lund's Hut, north-northwest of Rorikstead, is a farmhouse with a non-functioning bed. Only the chest and end table are safe containers.
- Anise's Cabin, southwest of Riverwood, can become a good early-game base of operations, although it is initially occupied. See the article for details.
Other SheltersEdit
These properties generally possess safe containers that do not respawn, making them just as great as a normal house until you have enough money to purchase a property.
- Abandoned House: The Abandoned House in Markarth can be lived in after killing the Vigilant in The House of Horrors, as it is set to never respawn and therefore none of the containers automatically reset. There is a usable bed and 62 containers within the house.
- Cracked Tusk Keep: Every container in the Keep is safe and once the bandits are killed, they never respawn.
- Drelas' Cottage is a house with both an alchemy station and an arcane enchanter as soon as the hostile owner Drelas himself is dealt with. However the location is far from most other facilities. It is also rather close to a dragon lair and followers will refuse to interact, the only exceptions being Cicero and Serana.
- Helgen Inn: The ruined inn in Helgen features a wardrobe and an end table that can be used for storage, neither of which resets. The inn also features a perfectly preserved and functional bed. This makes for a very useful shelter at the beginning of the game, although the fort will spawn bandits if not visited for some time.
- Inns: While most inns do not provide any safe storage, their beds generally give the Well Rested bonus, same as an owned house, and if the innkeeper is befriended, then most inns have a bed that can be slept in for free.
- Sleeping Giant Inn: This inn is of special note, due to the alchemy lab, arcane enchanter, and two safe chests in the secret Blades room, which make this an excellent player home after you have gained access to it during A Blade in the Dark.
- Nilheim Tower: This ancient Nordic tower is occupied by unique, non-respawning bandits. Its treasure chest and other containers in the tower are safe, and the top level contains some bedrolls, so it has all the basic amenities. It also has a wood chopping block but no crafting stations.
AchievementsEdit
- Citizen (10 points/Bronze) — Buy a house
BugsEdit
- The weapon racks and bookshelves in Breezehome, Hjerim, Vlindrel Hall, and Proudspire Manor may not work.
- The Official Skyrim Patch, version 1.4, fixes this bug.
- Placing items on mannequins may make that part of the mannequin become invisible.
- The Official Skyrim Patch, version 1.4, fixes this bug.
- Mannequins may "move" around the house.
- The Official Skyrim Special Edition Patch, version 1.6.629, fixes this bug.
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- The Unofficial Skyrim Patch, version 1.2.4, fixes this bug.
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- Giving or taking things from the mannequin will reset it to its normal position.
- Armor removed from a mannequin may end up duplicated back onto it. See Glitches.
- The Unofficial Skyrim Patch, version 1.2.4, fixes this bug.
- Items placed on weapon racks may become inaccessible, fall out, not display properly, or otherwise glitch.
- The Unofficial Skyrim Patch, version 2.0.4, fixes this bug.
- When purchasing upgrades for the houses, the alchemy lab upgrade option will not disappear and will not be included in the house; the dialogue will remain indefinitely and will continue to be available for purchase.
- The Unofficial Dawnguard Patch, version 1.0, fixes this bug.
- Armor placed on mannequins may be unequipped when re-entering the cell. ?
- Mannequins in Severin Manor DB may replace enchanted clothing with un-enchanted versions after exiting the cell. ?
- With Hearthfire installed, interior house zones (in particular, the child's bedroom) may have large gaps between textures, and entering these gaps may cause you to fall outside the playable area and respawn in a random house wing.
- Leaving and reentering the house will fix this.
- When in the interior of the Main Hall or Main Hall backroom (kitchen/storage room), if the player looks up at the ceiling they will see the skybox instead of the roof of the house. ?
- Houses may sometimes not be available for purchase, or the steward will say "Here's the key to your new home" but no gold is taken, no key is given and no quest updates are shown. ?