Rooming Houses
The Department of Human Services, Division of Housing and Community Building is working with Consumer Affairs Victoria to regulate and improve conditions in Victorias private rooming house market and to create more not-for-profit rooming house accommodation.
Residents of a rooming or boarding house have an individual agreement with their rooming house owner/manager and only have exclusive possession to their room with a right to shared access to communal facilities, such as kitchens, bathrooms, laundries and living areas.
Rooming houses must be registered with the local council.
Improving private rooming houses
The Department of Human Services has developed a fact sheet that sets out the legal requirements for rooming houses.
In 2008 health regulations were extended to cover rooming houses with only four or five people. Prior to this regulatory change, only rooming houses with 6 or more people were covered by health regulations.
Looking for accommodation
If you are looking for accommodation, you can contact your nearest crisis support centre for assistance or you may wish to apply for public housing.
- Rooming house reform
The Department of Human Services, Housing and Community Building Division has created a statewide register of rooming houses, using information about rooming houses registered by councils under the Public Health and Wellbeing (PHW) Act and Regulations.
- Rooming houses - Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS)
The Department of Human Services has invited interested stakeholders to respond to the RIS. The formal consultation period of this RIS is for 60 days and all feedback should be provided by October 14, 2011.
