Rooming & Boarding Houses in Tasmania: Key Facts

Living in a rooming or boarding house in Tasmania comes with unique rights and responsibilities. Understanding these can help you navigate situations that may arise, such as rent changes or resolving disputes. Here’s what you need to know.

What Defines a Rooming or Boarding House?

A rooming or boarding house in Tasmania is typically a building offering accommodation for four or more people, each with their own lease agreement. These accommodations often provide shared facilities like kitchens and bathrooms.

Understanding Your Lease

Rooming house residents will usually have a written lease agreement. It's important to be clear about the terms, including rent and any house rules. In Tasmania, the Residential Tenancy Act 1997 provides guidance on rooming houses.

Key Rights & Responsibilities

• Rent Increases: Your landlord must provide a minimum of 60 days’ written notice of any rent increase.
• Repairs: As a resident, you can request urgent repairs as outlined in your lease agreement.
• Evictions: Landlords can only issue eviction notices for solid reasons such as non-payment of rent or violation of house rules. Notice must comply with the Residential Tenancy Act.

Filing a Complaint

If you encounter issues that cannot be resolved informally, you can take formal steps to address them.

Tip: Keep all communication with your landlord in writing to maintain records.

Making an Application

The official agency handling disputes in Tasmania is the Consumer, Building and Occupational Services (CBOS). You can apply to them for assistance by completing relevant forms, such as the ‘Residential Tenancy Complaint Form’ available on their website.

Need Help? Resources for Renters

If you need further assistance, consider reaching out to these bodies:

• TasCOSS: Provides advice and support for all housing issues.
• Legal Aid Tasmania: Free legal advice and representation.
• Consumer, Building and Occupational Services (CBOS): For lodging complaints and tenancy dispute resolution.

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1. What happens if my rent increases without notice? If your rent increases without proper notice, it's a violation of the Residential Tenancy Act 1997. You can dispute this by contacting CBOS or seeking legal advice.
2. Can I be evicted without a reason? No, the landlord must provide a valid reason for eviction, such as breach of terms. Ensure any notice is consistent with the Act.
3. What are my options for urgent repairs? You should notify your landlord as soon as possible. If not addressed, you can contact CBOS for dispute resolution.

1. How to Apply for Dispute Resolution in Tasmania
   1. Visit the CBOS website and download the ‘Residential Tenancy Complaint Form’.
   2. Fill in the form with details of your complaint.
   3. Submit the form through the suggested contact methods (mail or online submission if available).

Key Takeaways

• Understand your lease terms and rights under the Residential Tenancy Act 1997.
• Handle disputes using official channels for resolution.
• Maintain clear records and communication with your landlord.

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