Boarding houses are a type of housing where people with disability can live but aren’t covered by tenancy agreements like in private rentals or public housing.
Sometimes people with disability find these types of homes difficult to live in because their rights are unclear or other people in the home might prove unsafe.
People with Disability Australia (PWDA) opposes people with disability being forced or coerced to live in any type of congregate living setting and believes people should have the right to choose with who, where and how they live.
Boarding houses are congregate living homes and have different names in different states and territories.
- Assisted boarding houses are privately run homes where people with disability in New South Wales can live.
- Boarding houses are run in Australia’s Capital Territory, Tasmania and the Northern Territory and are homes where people who might need help with daily living tasks such as showering, meals preparation or medication management could live. Boarding house agreements are different from private tenancy agreements and some specific information is available on boarding houses in some states including Tasmania.
- Rooming houses are available in Victoria and South Australia and can be run by private providers or not-for-profit groups. Minimum standards for rooming houses are set in Victoria while information on rooming house rights and responsibilities and house rules is available from the South Australian Government.
- The Queensland Government uses the term rooming accommodation and has produced a series of fact sheets on the accommodation type, including for residents with impaired capacity.
- In Western Australia, boarding houses or lodging houses are available, and the state’s Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety has highlighted the common law rights of lodgers and boarders.
Remember, if you are experiencing problems in your home, you can get help from a disability advocate or even file a complaint with police.
To speak to an advocate, email info@wayfinderhub.com.au or leave a voicemail at 1800 843 929. To speak with police, call the local number in your state or dial 000 in an emergency.