You will need to comply with legislated requirements when operating a rooming house. Rooming houses are residential properties where 2 or more rooms are available to rent.
Rooming houses with 5 or more rooms to rent are called designated rooming houses and existing proprietors must be registered with Consumer and Business Services (CBS) from 30 November 2024.
The operator of the rooming house (known as the proprietor) must have a written agreement with the rooming house residents. The written agreement (known as a rooming house agreement) outlines the terms of the agreement between the proprietor and the residents, including:
- house rules
- proprietor's obligations
- resident room maintenance
- resident's right to peace, comfort and privacy.
Proprietors may live in the rooming house and, accordingly, may enter the common areas of the property without giving any notice.