TL;DR
- Apartments offer permanent ownership at 500K Gil with no demolition risk
- Private Chambers require FC membership but provide community benefits at 300K Gil
- Private Estates range from 3M to 50M+ Gil with full customization but demolition risks
- Each option has distinct furniture limits, amenities, and strategic advantages
- Your playstyle and commitment level determine the optimal housing choice
Final Fantasy XIV offers multiple housing pathways, but each comes with distinct advantages and commitments that affect your gameplay experience. Understanding these differences helps you make informed decisions about where to invest your hard-earned Gil.
Many players underestimate the strategic importance of housing selection, which can impact everything from convenience features to long-term financial investment. Before committing substantial currency, consider your play patterns, social preferences, and long-term goals within Eorzea’s vibrant world.
Acquiring an apartment requires reaching level 50 in any combat class and achieving Second Lieutenant rank within your chosen Grand Company. Once these milestones are met, visit any residential district’s apartment building and interact with the Apartment Caretaker NPC to complete your purchase.
The permanent ownership feature makes apartments ideal for players who take extended breaks from FFXIV, as they never face auto-demolition regardless of login frequency. This security comes at an affordable 500,000 Gil price point.

Apartment Feature Breakdown:
Cost: 500,000 Gil
Furniture Capacity: 100 indoor items maximum
Vendor Access: 4 different merchant types
Gardening: Flower pot arrangements permitted
Companion Features: Personal Chocobo stable available
Convenience: Direct teleportation access and visitor permissions
Utility Items: Orchestrion, Armoire, Crystal Bell, and Summoning Bell functionality
Ownership Security: No auto-demolition timer ever activates
Character Limits: One apartment per individual character
Private Chambers represent the middle ground between individual ownership and community benefits. To qualify, you must maintain active membership in a Free Company while meeting the standard level 50 and Second Lieutenant requirements.
Access your Private Chamber by entering your Free Company’s estate and selecting the ‘Purchase Private Chambers’ option from any chamber door interface.
While Private Chambers avoid auto-demolition, you must vacate the space before leaving your Free Company. This makes them perfect for players committed to long-term FC participation.

Private Chamber Comprehensive Details:
Purchase Price: 300,000 Gil
Interior Design: 100 furniture pieces with indoor-only placement
Commercial Access: 4 vendor types available
Gardening Options: Flower pot decorations permitted
Mount Facilities: Chocobo stable accessible if FC installs one
Transportation: Teleportation enabled when FC adds Aetheryte crystal
Entertainment & Storage: Orchestrion, Armoire, Crystal Bell, and Summoning Bell functionality
Social Features: Visitor permissions and demolition protection
Private Estates represent the pinnacle of FFXIV housing with three distinct size categories: small, medium, and large plots. The pricing structure scales dramatically, with large estates requiring substantial Gil investment that may necessitate careful financial planning.
Small houses provide an accessible entry point at approximately 3 million Gil plus 450,000 Gil for the mandatory housing permit.
The auto-demolition system presents significant risk for estate owners. After 45 consecutive days without entering your property, the plot becomes eligible for demolition, though you can reclaim 80% of the property value within 35 days after demolition occurs.
Estate acquisition demands the same level and rank prerequisites as other housing options, plus the additional housing permit acquisition.

Small Estate Comprehensive Specifications:
Total Investment: 3,000,000+ Gil plus 450,000 Gil permit
Furniture Allocation: 200 indoor pieces and 20 outdoor decorations
Commercial Services: 6 different vendor types accessible
Gardening Systems: Flower pots plus one garden patch supporting up to 8 planting beds
Companion Infrastructure: Personal Chocobo stable included
Utility Features: Orchestrion, Armoire, Crystal Bell, and Summoning Bell access
Social Programs: Visitor permissions plus estate sharing supporting three tenant friends
Choosing between housing options requires honest assessment of your gameplay habits and social preferences. Casual players who take frequent breaks benefit most from apartments, while dedicated FC members find exceptional value in Private Chambers.
Estates demand consistent engagement to avoid financial losses through auto-demolition. Consider implementing visitation schedules or tenant arrangements to maintain activity requirements during extended absences.
Common mistakes include overestimating available playtime, underestimating maintenance costs, and neglecting location convenience factors. Research district amenities and transportation networks before finalizing your decision.
Strategic planning involves considering future expansions and potential feature additions that might affect housing values and functionality across all property types.
Remember that housing should enhance your FFXIV experience, not create additional obligations. The right choice balances aspiration with practical reality based on your individual circumstances within Eorzea’s evolving landscape.
Action Checklist
- Reach level 50 in any class and Second Lieutenant Grand Company rank
- Evaluate your play patterns and commitment level
- Secure necessary Gil through gameplay or careful budgeting
- Research district locations and available amenities
- Visit appropriate NPC (Apartment Caretaker, FC estate, or housing merchant)
- Plan furniture acquisition and decoration strategy
No reproduction without permission:OnLineGames Guides » You Might Not Need a House in FFXIV Complete guide to FFXIV housing options with strategic insights for smart property investment
