Rooming houses: a guide for residents and operators - NWHN

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Rooming houses: A guide forresidents and operatorsVCAT produces abooklet and video,‘Taking it to VCAT’,which providespractical informationabout preparing for,and attending, a hearing.Both are available from VCAT:W vcat.vic.gov.auT 1800 13 30 55What happens at a VCAT hearing?It is important to be well prepared for thehearing. The VCAT member will hear andconsider all the evidence presented byboth sides. This might include evidencefrom witnesses or looking at photographsand other documents brought to thehearing by the operator or resident.VCAT’s decisions are usually made on theday of the hearing and must be obeyedby both parties in the same way as acourt order.VCAT will consider urgent hearings in casesof extreme hardship. The applicant mustinclude a letter outlining the reasons whythey require an urgent hearing when theysend their application.If an applicant needs an interpreter,they should tell VCAT when they apply.Generally, friends or relatives are notallowed to act as interpreters.Note: VCAT may make a decisioneven if one party does not show upto the hearing.‘A Day at the Bench’ isa DVD with informationon how VCAT worksand how to prepare fora hearing. Copies are available fromthe Tenants Union of Victoria:W tuv.org.auT 03 9416 257742
Useful contactsConsumer Affairs VictoriaConsumer Affairs Victoria can giveadvice on a range of issues including:• bonds• lease agreements• repairs and maintenance• rent increases• rights and obligations of operatorsand residents• notice periods• goods left behind.We can also help resolve disputes andrun information sessions for the roominghouse sector.A 113 Exhibition Street,Melbourne Victoria 3000W consumer.vic.gov.auE consumer@justice.vic.gov.auT 1300 55 81 81 (local call cost)F 03 8684 6295Local councilsRooming houses must be registered withtheir local councils. Councils can also provideinformation about rooming house laws.W localgovernment.vic.gov.auClick on ‘Find your local council’.Building CommissionThe Building Commission is responsiblefor the building control system in Victoria.It is located in Melbourne with regionaloffices in Ballarat, Sale and Wangaratta.W buildingcommission.com.auT 1300 815 127F 03 9618 9062Department of HealthThe department can provideinformation on health and hygieneissues in rooming houses.W health.vic.gov.au/phwaE phwa.enquiries@dhs.vic.gov.auT 03 9096 038743
Page 1 and 2: Rooming housesA guide for residents
Page 3 and 4: Rooming housesA guide for residents
Page 5 and 6: ContentsSection 1: Rooming house ba
Page 7 and 8: This guide is for rooming house res
Page 9 and 10: When can an operator use abuilding
Page 11 and 12: Rooming house operators must meet m
Page 13 and 14: Signs and lightingOperators must in
Page 15 and 16: The inspector may look for things s
Page 17 and 18: Operators must give new residents c
Page 19 and 20: A ‘Bond Lodgement’ form, especi
Page 21 and 22: Residents and operators have legal
Page 23 and 24: Adding more residents to a roomIf a
Page 25 and 26: Urgent repairsUrgent repairs are:
Page 27 and 28: Entry rightsIn most cases, the oper
Page 29 and 30: If an operator has served three ‘
Page 31 and 32: When a resident wants to leave the
Page 33 and 34: Table 4 (continued)Reason for issui
Page 35 and 36: Can a resident be forcedto leave?Su
Page 37 and 38: Facing eviction?If a resident is fa
Page 39 and 40: After a resident leaves the rooming
Page 41 and 42: • computer hard drives• USB mem
Page 43: Ideally, operators and residents sh
Page 47 and 48: Housing for the Aged ActionGroup (H
Page 49 and 50: During a resident’s stay… Do I
Page 51: During your stay, ask... Am I payin

Rooming houses: a guide for residents and operators - NWHN

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