Rooming houses: a guide for residents and operators - NWHN

Rooming houses: A guide forresidents and operatorsThe rent receipt must include:• the operator’s name and signature• the resident’s name• the address of the rooming house• the date of payment• the name of the resident makingthe payment• the period the payment covers• how much was paid• a statement that it is a receipt for rent.If a resident has not paid their rent inperson and has not requested a receipt,they have up to 12 months after they paidto ask for a receipt.Operators must keep records of all rentsthey receive for at least 12 months.Changing the rent amountAn operator can increase the rent onlyonce in any six-month period, and mustgive the resident at least 60 days’ writtennotice telling them of this increase.However, an operator and resident mayagree to an increase without this notice ifa resident requests extra services, such asbed linen or meals. This agreement mustbe in writing and signed by both parties.If an operator provides these servicestemporarily, they must lower the rentagain once they stop providing them.The operator and resident should agreeon the new rent amount. However, if theycannot agree, either party may apply tothe Victorian Civil and AdministrativeTribunal (VCAT) to hear the matter andmake a ruling.Operators must adviseresidents of any rentincrease using a valid‘Notice of Rent Increaseto Resident/s of Rooming House’form, available from ConsumerAffairs Victoria:A 113 Exhibition Street,Melbourne 3000W consumer.vic.gov.au/rentingT 1300 55 81 8120