noun
lodging house; boarding house
A house that rents out rooms, often with meals provided; a traditional type of boarding house.
学生時代は下宿屋に住んでいた。
When I was a student, I lived in a lodging house.
寮 is a dormitory, often associated with schools or companies, whereas 下宿屋 is a privately run boarding house.
Compound of 下宿 (boarding, lodging) and 屋 (house, shop).