In ROB RUN your house is your base: a plot of land in the desert where you store loot, launder money and run businesses. You don't buy land from the game directly. You rent a plot in a settlement that another player (or you) owns. Here is how it works.
Where can you build a house?
Only in a settlement that has an owner. Kefir's Global Map post is clear: you can't claim land in an unowned district. Settlements sit inside districts, and each district has a level that decides which items you can buy there.
Find an empty plot and go to the "for rent" sign next to it. The sign tells you what you need to pay.
What do you pay with: cash or documents?
Since November 4, Tier 1 settlements and land rentals cost documents instead of cash. Kefir made the change to make early progress easier to understand. For plots in level 2 and level 3 districts, you need special documents from the Black Market.
Creator This is Shran explains the two kinds of paper:
| Document | What it gets you |
|---|---|
| Land plot title | Rents you one plot |
| Settlement title | Buys a whole settlement (see settlements) |
The level on the paper has to match the level of the district.
Unlock first, then buy
This is the step that trips up new players. Both This is Shran videos stress it:
- Unlock the land plot title (through Shipments).
- Buy it. Unlocking and buying are two separate costs.
- Carry it to the plot and use it at the sign.
Don't die on the way. This is Shran warns that if you die while carrying the title, you lose it. Titles can also drop as loot, so check what you find before selling it.
Why can't you find a free plot?
Plots fill up. A Steam forum player bought a level 1 settlement title for $200,000 and found every plot in the level 1 area taken. This is Shran's advice is to start on a fresh server: on a server that is already a few hours old, you may not get a settlement or a spot.
What do you get with a house?
- Storage for loot, cargo and vehicles. Cash can only be stored at Lenny's until then.
- A respawn point: if you die, your base becomes an extra place to respawn.
- Businesses: farms, warehouses and labs.
- Your own car: Kefir says you need a plot with a house or garage to buy your own vehicle. Its key goes in the key locker.
- New Shipments, plus selling at the Sales Center and cheaper contraband (Kefir's Power Pyramid post, "Settlement Resident" tier).
The main building comes with a laptop, a first-aid kit and a few cabinets. Everything else is item-based: you buy or find houses, fences, workbenches, safes and so on and place them from your inventory. You can also move your whole base to another plot at any time.
How do you protect your house?
Other players can raid your base. Kefir's help center suggests installing fuses in your Security System, so attackers spend far more time and resources hacking it, and defense modules that alert your allies when a raid starts. This is Shran says to put fuses on the main door first.
Quick checklist
- Earn some money and open a bank account.
- Find a settlement with an owner and a free plot.
- Read the sign: what document or cash does it want?
- Unlock the land plot title, buy it, carry it there safely.
- Pay at the sign, then add fuses to your door.
Related: money laundering, settlements.