Buying guide

Boarding houses: Everything landlords & tenants need to know

Including boarding house tenancy agreements

Ben Tutty
Last updated: 10 July 2024 | 8 min read
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Boarding houses are properties rented by the room for at least 28 days, with six or more tenants sharing facilities. A written boarding house tenancy agreement is mandatory, outlining rules, rent, and fire safety.

Landlords must ensure the property meets Healthy Homes standards. Key rules include:

- Bonds are capped at four weeks' rent.

- Rent can increase once a year with 28 days' notice.

- 24 hours' notice is required for room inspections.

Knowing your rights is crucial for resolving disputes.

What is a boarding house?

Boarding house tenancy agreements

Boarding house laws

They must be Healthy Homes compliant

Boarding houses have similiar rules as normal residential tenances with a few key differences.

Boarding house landlords can charge bonds

Rent can be increased

Rules should be clearly communicated

Maintenance and inspection rules must be followed

Landlords can set rules for boarding houses as long as they don't contradict the Residential Tenancies Act.

Other boarding house rules

If there’s a dispute

Author

Ben Tutty Ben Tutty
Content Writer