Asking the right questions before moving into a shared house can save you from awkward surprises on the first week. House rules, bill arrangements, cooking habits, and guest policies vary from one house to the next. What is normal in one place may be unacceptable in another.
This guide gives you a complete list of questions to ask a room owner or head tenant before you agree to move in. Most can be sent as a message before you even inspect the room. The goal is simple: know what you are agreeing to before you hand over any money.
Why asking questions matters
In a shared house, you are not just renting a room. You are sharing a kitchen, a bathroom, a laundry, and common spaces with people you may have never met before.
Many problems in shared housing start because one person assumed something was fine and another person assumed the opposite. A short conversation before move-in is much easier than a conflict after.
Ask early. Ask clearly. If the answers make you uncomfortable, that is useful information too.
How to ask
If you are messaging through HamroRooms or any other platform before inspecting, you can copy and paste questions directly into a message. Most room owners and head tenants expect this kind of inquiry and will answer honestly.
Keep your message friendly and direct. You do not need to ask everything at once. Start with money, availability, and rules. Ask the rest during or after the inspection.
You can also ask during an in-person or video inspection. In many cases, seeing the house while asking the questions helps you understand the answers better.
Questions about money: rent, bond, and bills
Money questions should always come first. Misunderstanding the total weekly cost is one of the most common problems newcomers face.
Ask:
- What is the weekly rent?
- Is rent paid weekly, fortnightly, or monthly?
- How much bond is required?
- Is bond separate from the first week's rent?
- Are electricity, gas, water, and internet included in the rent?
- If bills are not included, how are they split between housemates?
- Are bills split equally, or based on usage?
- Will I receive a copy of each bill?
- Is there a monthly or seasonal limit on electricity or gas use?
- What payment method is accepted for rent?
- Will I receive a receipt for each payment?
- Is there a written rental agreement?
Do not accept vague answers to bill questions. "Bills are about normal" or "we share equally" can mean very different things. Ask exactly what the last few months' bills were and what your share would be.
Consumer Affairs Victoria explains rules about bond amounts and rent payments and what receipts you are entitled to receive.
Questions about internet
For students, a reliable internet connection is essential for studying, attending online classes, and staying in contact with family back home.
Ask:
- Is internet included in the rent or paid separately?
- What is the internet provider and plan?
- What is the download speed?
- Is there a data limit?
- Is the connection shared between all housemates?
- Does the speed slow down in the evenings or at peak times?
- Is the router in a central location or only in one bedroom?
- If internet is not included, can I arrange my own connection?
If multiple people are streaming, gaming, or attending online classes simultaneously, a slow or capped plan can become a real problem.
Questions about heating and cooling
Melbourne winters can be cold and Melbourne summers can be hot. Heating and cooling costs are one of the biggest surprises for new renters if not discussed upfront.
Ask:
- Is there a heater in the room or in the main living area?
- What type of heater is it: gas, electric, split system, or portable?
- Is there air conditioning or cooling for summer?
- Are there any restrictions on how often the heater or air conditioner can be used?
- If bills are included, are heating and cooling covered?
- Are there cost limits on heating use?
Also check during inspection:
- Are curtains or blinds fitted to the windows?
- Are there drafts under doors or around windows?
- Does the room get direct sunlight and become too hot in summer?
- Is the heating in the bedroom or only in common areas?
Knowing this before you commit can help you avoid a cold room in winter or a very high bill in summer.
Questions about cooking
Many Nepali students cook regularly at home to save money and eat familiar food. Cooking arrangements are one of the most common sources of conflict in shared houses, so ask clearly before moving in.
Ask:
- Can I cook in the kitchen every day?
- Are there any restrictions on cooking times?
- Is strong-smelling cooking, such as frying spices or fish, allowed?
- Is vegetarian-only cooking required, or can non-vegetarian food be cooked?
- How many people share the kitchen?
- Is there separate space in the fridge and pantry for my food?
- Are pots, pans, plates, and utensils shared or do I need my own?
- Who buys shared items like dish soap and sponges?
- Is there a cleaning rule for the kitchen after cooking?
- Can I use the kitchen at night or on weekends?
If cooking is important to your daily life, make sure the house rules fully support it before agreeing to move in.
Questions about cleaning
In most shared houses, cleaning responsibilities are divided between housemates. If this is not discussed upfront, it quickly becomes a source of tension.
Ask:
- Is there a cleaning roster for common areas?
- Who is responsible for cleaning the bathroom?
- Who is responsible for cleaning the kitchen?
- How often are common areas cleaned?
- Is there a shared vacuum cleaner or cleaning products?
- What happens if a housemate does not clean their share?
- Who buys shared cleaning supplies?
- Is there a rule about leaving dishes in the sink?
A house with a clear, fair cleaning arrangement is usually a much more comfortable place to live. If there is no roster at all, ask how cleaning has been handled in the past.
Questions about guests and visitors
Guest policies vary enormously between shared houses. Some are very relaxed; others have strict rules about visitors. Knowing this before you move in avoids uncomfortable situations.
Ask:
- Can I have guests visit during the day?
- Can guests stay overnight occasionally?
- Is there a limit on how often overnight guests can stay?
- Do I need to let other housemates or the owner know before having a guest stay?
- Are partners or family members allowed to visit regularly?
- Are children or young siblings allowed to visit?
- Are there any hours when guests are not allowed?
If your family or friends visiting from time to time is important to you, make sure the rules allow for it.
Questions about minimum stay and notice period
Many shared houses have a minimum stay requirement, especially in properties where the owner or head tenant wants to avoid constant turnover. Understanding this before you move in avoids problems if your situation changes.
Ask:
- Is there a minimum stay required?
- How much notice do I need to give before moving out?
- Is the notice period in writing or just verbal?
- What happens to my bond if I need to leave earlier than expected?
- Is there a fixed-term arrangement or is it ongoing?
- Does my notice period need to be given in writing?
Consumer Affairs Victoria has information about notice to vacate and the rights of renters when ending a tenancy.
Questions about parking
If you have a car, parking is an important practical question. If you rely on public transport, knowing the distance to the nearest stop matters just as much.
Ask:
- Is there off-street parking available?
- Is parking included in the rent or an extra cost?
- Is the parking space shared or exclusively mine?
- Are there parking restrictions on the street nearby?
- Is there secure parking or just street parking?
- Is a permit required for street parking in this area?
- Is there storage space for a bicycle?
If you do not have a car, ask about the distance to the nearest train, tram, or bus stop and whether the walk is safe at night.
Questions about housemates
You will be sharing your daily life with other people in the house. Knowing a little about who they are before you move in helps you understand whether you will be comfortable there.
Ask:
- How many people currently live in the house?
- How many people will be living here after I move in?
- Are any rooms shared between two people?
- Do couples live in the house?
- Does the owner live at the property?
- What are the general work and study schedules of housemates?
- Are housemates mostly students, workers, or a mix?
- Is the house generally quiet or more social?
- Have there been any recent housemate conflicts?
This is not about judging others. It is about making sure the lifestyle of the house suits your own routine.
Questions about the bond
Bond is a significant upfront cost. In Victoria, the rules around bond are clear, but not every room arrangement follows formal tenancy rules. Asking clearly before paying protects you.
Ask:
- How much is the bond?
- Is the bond lodged with the Residential Tenancies Bond Authority (RTBA), or held by the owner?
- Will I receive a receipt for the bond payment?
- What conditions could result in bond being withheld at the end of the tenancy?
- Has there been any bond dispute in this property recently?
The Residential Tenancies Bond Authority (RTBA) holds bonds for most Victorian residential tenancies. You can check whether your bond is registered on the RTBA Online portal.
For informal share house arrangements, bond may be held privately by the head tenant or owner. In this case, written proof of payment is especially important.
Copy-paste question list
Below is a short version of the key questions you can copy and paste into a message when you first enquire about a room.
Hi, I am interested in the room. Before I arrange an inspection, could you please let me know:
- Weekly rent and bond amount?
- Are electricity, gas, internet, and water included?
- If bills are not included, how are they split?
- How many people currently share the house?
- How many people share the bathroom?
- Is daily cooking allowed, including frying and spices?
- Are there any restrictions on cooking times?
- Is there a cleaning roster for common areas?
- Are overnight guests allowed occasionally?
- What is the minimum stay and notice period?
- Is parking available, and is it included?
- When is the room available?
Thank you for your time.
Feel free to add or remove questions depending on what matters most to you. Most owners and head tenants will appreciate a clear, thoughtful message over a vague one.
Read the answers carefully
A room owner who gives clear, direct answers to all your questions is generally more trustworthy than one who is vague, avoids certain questions, or says "we can sort that out later."
Be cautious if:
- Bills are described as "normal" without any specific amounts
- The minimum stay or notice period changes between messages
- Guest or cooking rules are not confirmed in writing
- The person avoids questions about the bond or receipt
- You are pressured to pay before your questions are answered
Good communication before move-in usually means better communication after.
After the answers, inspect the room
Questions can tell you a lot, but an in-person or video inspection tells you more. Once you have received satisfactory answers, always try to inspect the room before paying any money.
Use the Room Inspection Checklist to make sure you check everything that matters during your visit.
How HamroRooms can help
HamroRooms is designed to help Nepali students and newcomers in Melbourne find shared accommodation more easily. Listings on HamroRooms include room details, bills information, and availability so that you can compare options before reaching out.
With HamroRooms, you can:
- Browse rooms by suburb
- See which rooms include bills, parking, or internet
- Contact room owners directly with your questions
- Avoid relying only on Facebook groups or informal posts
- Find rooms listed by people within the Nepali community in Melbourne
Even with a good listing, always ask your questions before paying and inspect the room before committing.
Final advice
Moving into a new shared house is a significant step, especially when you are new to Melbourne or Australia. The questions in this guide are not about being difficult or suspicious. They are about making sure you understand exactly what you are agreeing to.
A good room owner or head tenant will welcome your questions. They want a housemate who communicates clearly, just as much as you want a house with clear and fair rules.
Take your time, ask everything that matters, get the answers in writing where possible, and inspect before you pay.