To successfully acquire player housing in Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn, there are several requirements and procedures you must follow, particularly since housing is now managed through a lottery system introduced in Patch 6.1. Below is a comprehensive guide to help you navigate through the process of obtaining your own house or apartment.

Step 1: Meet the Requirements

Before entering the housing lottery, ensure that you meet the following criteria:

– Character Level: You must be at least level 50 in any class or job.
– Grand Company Rank: You need to achieve a minimum of Second Lieutenant rank within your Grand Company.
– Free Company Requirement: If you are purchasing a plot for a Free Company, your Free Company must have attained Rank 6 or higher to qualify for the Land Acquisition Entitlement.

Step 2: Choose Your Housing Location

There are 24 instanced housing wards located in various housing zones, each tied to beginner regions outside main cities. The primary housing districts include:

1. Mist (Lower La Noscea) – Coordinates: (X34, Y19)
2. Lavender Beds (Central Shroud) – Coordinates: (X27, Y26)
3. The Goblet (Western Thanalan) – Coordinates: (X25, Y27)
4. Shirogane (Kugane) – Coordinates: (X8.9, Y10.4)
5. Empyreum (Ishgard) – Coordinates: (X14.2, Y12.5)

Each ward is divided into subdivisions and has plots numbered 1-60. Plots 1-9 are reserved for Free Companies, while plots 10-24 are available for private players.

Step 3: Enter the Housing Lottery

Once you have chosen a housing plot, you must participate in the lottery system:

– Location: Go to the plot’s placard located outside the house.
– Gil Deposit: Pay the required gil deposit for the plot you wish to bid on.
– Bidding Rules: You can only enter the lottery for one plot at a time and cannot bid for both Free Company and private plots simultaneously.
– Lottery Cycle: The lottery runs for a total of 9 days, consisting of 5 days for submissions and 4 days for confirmations.
– Winning the Lottery: If you win, you will finalize your purchase of the plot; failing to win will result in a refund of your deposit.

Step 4: Additional Housing Options

If the idea of a house feels overwhelming or if your budget is tight, consider renting an apartment:

– Requirements: Must still be level 50 and Second Lieutenant rank.
– Cost: Apartments cost 500,000 gil and accommodate up to 90 tenants.
– Limitations: While cheaper, apartments come without land ownership and have more limited furnishing options compared to houses.

Step 5: Ownership Limits

Be aware of the ownership restrictions:

– You can own only one house per world.
– Free Companies are also limited to one house.
– Once a plot is owned, it cannot be purchased by another player on the same server.

Conclusion

Due to the competitive nature of the housing market in Final Fantasy XIV, it is crucial to act quickly when plots become available. Ensure you are prepared and fulfill all requirements to maximize your chances of winning a house or opting for an apartment. Happy housing!