Rooming houses

Rooming houses in the City of Port Phillip

Rooming houses are places where people rent a single room, and they may share kitchens and bathrooms with others. Some rooming houses have private studios with their own bathroom and kitchen. Rooming houses can be privately owned or run by community housing organisations.

They can be a good housing option for single people who may not be able to afford other private rentals or who enjoy living around others.

Who looks after rooming houses?

All rooming houses with four or more people must be registered with the Council. Before you sign a lease or move in, check that the rooming house is registered. You can do this on the Consumer Victoria website.

The Business Licensing Authority checks that private rooming house owners are suitable to run them. You can look up if someone is licensed on the Rooming House Operators Public Register.

The rules for renters and landlords are explained in Victorian residential tenancies legislation.

Contact us

If you’re worried about a rooming house or think it’s not registered, you can contact the Council’s Health Services Unit.

Send a request on My Port Phillip

Phone: 03 9209 6292