There are over 1000 registered rooming houses in Victoria. Residents generally have a single room and share facilities such as kitchen and bathroom. Well managed rooming houses may suit older people who like a semi-furnished home with little upkeep required.
Rooming houses range from well-run premises owned by not-for-profit organisations to dodgy rooms let by unscrupulous profit-mongers.
There are also unregistered rooming houses which can be run illegally, so its important to be careful if you looking for a rooming house. If you are interested in rooming house living then it is important to ask these questions:
- Does the rent covers electricity, cleaning and maintenance?
- Are there any other additional costs?
- Does it seem to be a safe environment?
- Is it registered?
- Does it seem well managed?
- How long can you stay there?
| Cost before you move in | You may be asked for up to 14 days rent in advance. You may be asked to pay a bond. |
| Cost each fortnight | • Some rooming houses are managed by community-based organisations and rents are charged in the range of 25%-30% of income. • Others are private business which charge the market rent, or another amount. The private rooming house operator can only charge you for water, electricity or gas if your room has a separate meter installed or approved by the utility company. |
| Eligibility | • Private rooming houses have no eligibility criteria • Community housing providers who run rooming houses will have their own eligibility criteria |
| Location | All across Victoria |
| Changes you can make to your house | Rooming houses are required to meet minimum standards, relating to privacy, security and safety. |
| How long can you stay there? | • Government-funded rooming houses may have lifetime security of tenure. • Private rooming houses have the same rules about notices to vacate as private rental. |
| How to Apply | Speak directly to the Rooming House provider. You may need to complete an application form. You can find a list of registered Rooming House providers here https://registers.consumer.vic.gov.au/rhrsearch Call Home at Last for additional help. Home at Last can refer you to your local crisis housing service if you are currently homeless and they may be able to arrange rooming house accommodation for you. |
| More information | Tenants Victoria has more information on your rights in rooming houses https://tenantsvic.org.au/explore-topics/rental-types/rooming-houses/ |