Rooming houses: a guide for residents and operators - NWHN

A ‘Bond Lodgement’ form, especiallydesigned for the DoH, must be used whenthe DoH contributes all or part of the bond.The DoH will issue the form with the bondpayment when a bond loan is approved.If a resident also contributes to the bond,a separate ‘Bond Lodgement’ form mustbe completed and sent to the RTBAwithin 10 business days.Residents should contact the DoH throughthe Office of Housing (see page 44 forcontact details) to find out if they are eligible.Difference between bond and rentThe bond and rent are separate payments.A resident must not use any part of thebond as rent.‘Condition Report’If an operator charges a bond from aresident, they must complete a ‘ConditionReport’ with the resident.Consumer AffairsVictoria provides‘Condition Report’forms.The ‘Condition Report’ is important becauseit will be used as evidence if there is a futuredispute about who should pay for anycleaning, damage or replacement of missingitems. It can also help decide how a bondshould be repaid at the end of a residency.An operator must give the resident twocompleted and signed copies of the‘Condition Report’. The resident thenhas the right to:• check and add comments to the‘Condition Report’• state whether they agree with whatthe operator has written.Once the resident is happy with the‘Condition Report’, they must sign and giveone copy back to the operator within threedays of moving into the rooming house.The resident should keep the other copy untilthe end of their time at the rooming house.Even if there is nobond, ConsumerAffairs Victoriarecommends the useof a ‘Condition Report’.This form allows the resident and operatorto record the room’s condition and writedown any damage before the residentmoves in.17