Shadowbane offers six basic forms of player character housing (many of which have multiple cosmetic variants), which vary in size, cost, and durability. Unlike shops and other structures, houses do not have ranks and cannot be upgraded: a Cottage will remain a Cottage until it is destroyed or falls apart from lack of maintenance.

Like other City Assets, characters must purchase a deed to build a house, and every type of housing has a maintenance cost that must be paid to keep it fully functional. Houses will serve as secure sanctums for Shadowbane characters, home bases for their quests and safe havens where they can keep the spoils of their adventures.

The following Houses and Dwellings are well-known throughout the Realm: