Rooming houses: a guide for residents and operators - NWHN

When can an operator use abuilding as a rooming house?For an operator to use a property as arooming house, the property must be inan area where the local council allows this.The operator must also:• register with the local council• get the necessary building or otherpermits that may be required• meet the minimum health, buildingand fire safety standards.Planning controlsEach municipality has a local planningscheme, which controls how land is used.Operators must check with their localcouncil’s planning section to find out if:• the building is located in an area whereuse as a rooming house is permitted• a planning permit is required.Changing the use of the buildingto a rooming houseIf an operator changes the use of theirbuilding into a rooming house, the buildingmust meet the relevant requirements of theBuilding Regulations 2006.This involves the operator arrangingworks such as:• installing the necessary firesafety measures• changing door hardware• installing sanitary facilities• other works.Operators must find out if a building permitis required for any building work to changethe use of the building to a rooming house.A council municipal building surveyor(MBS), private building surveyor (PBS)or other suitably experienced buildingprofessional can give advice.For more information,operators should contactthe building departmentof their local council.Sometimes, an MBS, PBS or other qualifiedbuilding professional may find that nobuilding work is required for the newuse as a rooming house.7