Guide to finding and moving into accommodation

Most residential services are rooming accommodation. This means facilities like the kitchen, bathroom and living areas are shared with other residents. Sometimes residents in residential services live in a self-contained unit where they do not share facilities, but they do receive meals or other personal services like help with cleaning, showering, medication or other living supports.

It’s important to understand what your needs are before you start looking, to ensure you move into a suitable property.

Things to think about when deciding what type of accommodation you need:

• Can I live in shared accommodation? 
  If this is not the type of accommodation you’re after then you can get help to find something more suitable.
• What area or suburb do I need to live in? 
  You may want to be close to family, friends, doctors, transport, etc.
• Do I need personal care services, such as help showering, cleaning, or shopping?
• Do I need meals provided?

The next step is to look for the accommodation that meets your needs. You can do this by checking the Find registered accommodation website or the Public Register of Residential Services, or by calling or visiting a Housing Services Centre.

• Use the Find registered accommodation website to search for all types of registered residential services and rooming accommodation by location. You can search using a postcode or suburb name to find information and contact details for each service in your chosen location.
• The Housing Service Centre team will ask you what your needs are and can call registered accommodation providers on your behalf. They will also help arrange a visit with the manager or caretaker.
• Look at the Public Register of Residential Services for accommodation providers to call and arrange a visit directly with the manager or caretaker.

Once you’ve found somewhere that interests you, can call to find out whether there are any rooms available and to find out more about the place.

Questions to ask the manager or caretaker

It’s important to ask questions to find out if the accommodation will meet your needs. The example questions below may help you decide if the property is right for you.

General

• Can I have visitors?
• Can people stay the night?
• Is my room lockable?
• What furniture is included?
• Do I need my own fridge?
• Is electricity included in my rent?
• Do I have to pay a bond?
• Is there a live-in caretaker or on-site manager?
• Are there any organised social activities?
• Is the accommodation registered or accredited with the government?
• What is the easiest way to get there for an inspection?

Meals

• If you have special dietary needs (e.g. for diabetes or food allergies), ask whether these are catered for.
• Are all meals included or are some optional?
• Do I have to eat in the dining area or can I eat in my room?
• Can my visitors order meals to eat there?

Personal care

• Can I choose my own care provider?
• Can my support worker or care provider visit me at the property?

Calling the provider to get the answers you need will help you decide whether you want to see the property in person.

If you want to see the property, you’ll need to arrange an appointment with the manager or caretaker. You can do this when you call them to ask about vacancies (see step 2). Make sure you know the day and time to meet them at the property, and how to get there.

Check whether the property is accredited

All properties you find on the Find registered accommodation website, through a Housing Service Centre or on the Public Register of Residential Services have been accredited and registered. This means they have been inspected and found to meet standards to ensure your safety.

There are a few ways you can check if the accommodation is accredited:

• First check the Find registered accommodation website or the Public Register of Residential Services to see if the premises is registered and accredited.
• Look for a certificate of registration and accreditation in or near the entranceway (this should always be displayed).

If you can’t see a certificate, ask the manager to show it to you.

Find out your rights and responsibilities

Tenants living in rooming accommodation have certain rights and responsibilities. During your visit, the manager or caretaker may give you documents, including house rules and a Residential Tenancy Rooming  Accommodation Agreement. These provide you with information about your responsibilities as a tenant.

House rules could include things such as:

• keeping the common areas clean
• where any designated smoking areas are
• when visitors need to leave the house
• how to pay rent
• who to contact if you have a problem or question.

Some residential services have live-in caretakers who can help with questions and maintenance requests.

A rental agreement should include:

• the length of the lease
• your rights and responsibilities
• rent payment and bank details
• any other special clauses.

Make sure you’re ok with everything in these documents before applying for a room.

If you decide to apply for the room, they will ask you for your details and an emergency contact—make sure you have this person’s contact details with you. You will be given the operator’s details in case you need to contact them.

If your application is approved, the next step will be to sign a rooming accommodation agreement.

The operator or manager of the accommodation will give you a lease agreement to sign. You should read this carefully before signing it so you understand what you’re committing to.

You can also visit the Residential Tenancies Authority website for:

• information about rooming accommodation agreements
• advice on starting your tenancy.

If you pay a bond, you will need to complete an entry condition report to record the condition of your room when you move in.

To help with the cost of moving, you may be eligible for a Rental Grant. A Rental Grant is a one-off grant of 2 weeks rent to support people in housing crisis to move into private rental accommodation.

Talk to your local Housing Service Centre to find out what other support may be available.

Read more general advice about moving in.

Once you’ve moved into your accommodation, it’s important to remember you’re not alone. We offer support services to help you with living in registered accommodation.

If you have a complaint, the best place to start is to speak to the manager of your accommodation. Often complaints can be resolved this way, as they should have a complaints process in place.

You can also call us on 13 QGOV (13 74 68) or find out more about how to lodge a complaint.

If you find out the accommodation you’re living is no longer registered, you can let us know by emailing us at regulatoryservices@housing.qld.gov.au or by calling (07) 3013 2666.