Multiple Rental Streams
Individually occupied rooms can create several sources of rental income within one purpose-built residential asset.
Rooming House Builders Melbourne
Build a Better-Performing Rooming House.
Civic Homes designs and builds purpose-built Class 1B rooming houses and modern co-living developments across Melbourne and regional Victoria. From site feasibility and planning through to construction and handover, we help turn your property opportunity into a well-designed investment.
- Class 1B-focused design
- Planning and permit support
- Melbourne and regional Victoria
Completed Civic Homes Project
9×9 Rooming House · Geelong, Victoria
The Investment Opportunity
One property. Multiple possibilities.
A purpose-built rooming house can make more productive use of a well-selected site by combining private accommodation with thoughtfully planned shared facilities. The opportunity begins with the right location, a compliant design and a clear understanding of who the property is being created for.
Smarter Land Use
A carefully planned layout can provide more rentable accommodation while balancing private rooms, shared spaces and site requirements.
Broad Resident Demand
Well-located, comfortable accommodation can appeal to students, essential workers, skilled migrants and working professionals.
Designed for Longevity
Durable finishes, practical facilities and resident-focused layouts help create a property suited to ongoing operation and everyday use.
Rental demand and investment performance depend on factors including location, design, operating costs, finance, resident management and market conditions. Independent financial and property advice should be obtained before making an investment decision.
Purpose-Built Shared Accommodation
Completed Civic Homes project · Deanside
Class 1B Explained
Compliance starts at the drawing board.
Under the National Construction Code, a Class 1B building can include a boarding house, guest house or hostel with a total floor area of less than 300m² and accommodation for no more than 12 people. These projects require considerations beyond those applying to a standard Class 1A home.
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Fire and Life Safety
Appropriate alarms, warning systems, exits and fire-safety measures must be considered.
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Privacy and Security
Resident rooms, locks, lighting and security must support safe everyday occupation.
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Shared Amenities
Kitchens, bathrooms, laundries and common areas must be appropriately planned for residents.
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Permits and Registration
Planning, building approval and local council registration may all form part of the pathway.
Classification, planning and approval requirements vary by site and proposal. The appropriate pathway should be confirmed with the relevant building surveyor, council and project consultants.
Designed Around the Site
More than bedrooms. A place people can live well.
No two rooming-house sites are identical. Civic Homes considers the block, planning environment, resident needs and project objectives to create a practical layout that balances privacy, shared living and efficient use of space.
Comfortable Private Rooms
Practical room layouts designed around privacy, storage, natural light, ventilation and everyday resident comfort.
Useful Shared Spaces
Kitchens, dining areas, laundries and outdoor spaces planned to support daily routines and comfortable communal living.
Practical, Durable Finishes
Materials and fixtures selected with ongoing use, maintenance and long-term property presentation in mind.
Real Project
9×9 Rooming House
Completed in Geelong, Victoria
The Civic Homes Process
From site review to completed build.
Rooming-house developments involve design, planning, consultants, permits and construction. Civic Homes helps bring those moving parts together through a clear, considered project pathway.
01
Feasibility & Site Review
We begin by reviewing the property, planning context, available space, project objectives and the suitability of the site for the proposed rooming-house development.
02
Concept Design
The proposed room count, private accommodation, shared facilities, access and site layout are developed into an initial design direction.
03
Planning & Documentation
Required drawings and supporting documentation are coordinated for the applicable planning pathway, council review and consultant input.
04
Building Approval & Scope
Construction documentation, engineering, relevant approvals and the detailed building scope are prepared before work begins on site.
05
Construction & Oversight
The project moves into construction with site supervision, trade coordination, milestone reviews and attention to the approved plans and specifications.
06
Handover & Documentation
Once construction and final inspections are complete, the finished property is handed over with the relevant project documentation.
Already have a property or potential development site?
Discuss Your Site
Speak with Civic Homes about the site, your objectives and the appropriate next step for investigating its potential.
Completed Rooming Houses
Real projects. Built by Civic Homes.
Explore a selection of completed Civic Homes rooming-house developments across Melbourne and regional Victoria. Each project responds to its individual site, layout and resident requirements.
Explore All Civic Homes Projects
Virtual Project Walkthrough
Step inside a completed rooming house.
Explore the layout, private accommodation and shared facilities of a completed Civic Homes rooming-house project. Move through the property at your own pace and see how the spaces work together.
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43 Doherty Street Deer Park, Victoria
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Completed Civic Homes Project Purpose-built shared accommodation
43 Doherty Street · Deer Park
Interactive
Click and Explore
Move through the completed property in 3D
Melbourne & Regional Victoria
The right project begins with the right site.
Rooming-house feasibility depends on more than the suburb alone. Zoning, overlays, lot dimensions, access, neighbouring properties, services and the proposed design can all influence what may be achievable on a particular site.
Considering a specific property?
Send Civic Homes the address and a brief outline of what you are hoping to build. The team can discuss the appropriate next step for investigating the site.
Completed Project Locations
Civic Homes rooming-house experience
Greater Melbourne
Deanside
Deer Park
St Albans
Dandenong
Regional Victoria
Geelong
Shepparton
These are verified locations shown in Civic Homes’ completed rooming-house project portfolio. Contact the team to discuss whether your location and proposed site can be considered.
Frequently Asked Questions
Rooming-house questions, answered clearly.
Rooming-house projects involve building classification, planning, minimum standards and operational requirements. These answers provide a helpful starting point before discussing your particular site.
Have a site-specific question?
Every property and proposal is different. Speak with Civic Homes about the address and what you are considering.
Ask Civic Homes01 What is a Class 1B rooming house?
Under the National Construction Code, Class 1B can include a boarding house, guest house or hostel with a total floor area of less than 300m² that ordinarily accommodates no more than 12 people. The correct classification for a project should be confirmed by the appointed building surveyor.
02 Can I build a rooming house on my existing block?
Possibly. Suitability can depend on the property’s zoning, overlays, dimensions, access, services, neighbouring context and the proposed design. A site review is the sensible first step before committing to drawings or purchasing a development property.
03 Will I need planning and building permits?
Planning and building approval requirements depend on the site and proposal. A planning permit may be required, and construction must follow the applicable building-permit and certification pathway. Requirements should be confirmed with the relevant council, building surveyor and project consultants.
04 What is the difference between a rooming house and a share house?
In a Victorian rooming house, rooms are rented to residents and residents usually have separate agreements with the operator. Bathrooms, kitchens, laundries and other areas may be shared. In a typical share house, occupants commonly enter one shared rental arrangement together.
05 What is the difference between co-living and a rooming house?
“Co-living” often describes a modern, professionally presented form of shared accommodation with private rooms and well-designed communal facilities. However, branding a property as co-living does not remove the need to establish its correct planning, building and operational classification.
06 What facilities should a rooming house include?
The design may include individually secured resident rooms, kitchens, dining areas, bathrooms, toilets, laundries and communal living or outdoor spaces. The required number, size and arrangement of facilities depends on occupancy, design and the applicable minimum standards.
07 Does a Victorian rooming house need council registration?
Yes. A Victorian rooming house must be registered with the relevant local council before operation and must meet applicable health, safety and minimum-standard requirements. Operating and licensing obligations are separate from the building process and should also be investigated.
08 How do I begin a rooming-house project with Civic Homes?
Start by providing the property address, any existing site information and a brief outline of what you hope to achieve. Civic Homes can then discuss the appropriate next step for reviewing the site and investigating a potential design and approval pathway.
Start With the Site
Ready to explore your rooming-house opportunity?
Tell Civic Homes about the property, where it is located and what you hope to achieve. The team can discuss the appropriate next step for reviewing the site, potential design direction and project pathway. If the site is not suitable, it is better to identify that early.
- Melbourne and regional Victoria
- Purpose-built rooming houses
- Planning-to-construction pathway