Part 7 of the Residential Tenancies Act 1995 (SA) provides protection for residents (boarders and lodgers) of rooming houses in some circumstances.

A rooming house is a residential premises where 2 or more rooms are available for residential occupation in return for rent [Residential Tenancies Act 1995 (SA) s 3]. A designated rooming house is a residential premises where 5 or more rooms are available for residential occupation in return for rent [s 103A].

Boarding arrangements in private homes are only covered by the Residential Tenancies Act 1995 (SA) if there are 2 or more rooms for boarders. The only relevant law in relation to other boarders and lodgers is the common law - see Boarders and lodgers.

The following pages in this chapter cover the requirements for designated rooming houses, including registration, house rules, obligations of proprietors and tenants, rent increases and termination of agreements (including where someone abandons the property).

Consumer and Business Services has produced the following resources for rooming house owners and residents:

Forms and fact sheets for rooming house tenancies are available from the SA Government website - Forms and fact sheets for rooming house tenancies.