Residential services buildings

A residential service provides accommodation for four or more people. Each person lives in one or more rooms and pays rent. Residents usually share bathroom or kitchen facilities. Some services also provide residents with food or personal care.

An aged care rental scheme is another kind of residential service. A person rents a self-contained unit and receives food or personal care services from (or on behalf of) the operator.

To run a residential service, you must apply for registration with the Queensland government. For more information please refer to the Business Queensland website.

Building compliance notice

An application to run a residential service must include a building compliance notice for the premises issued by us within the past 12 months. The notice must state that the premises comply with the building requirements detailed in the Queensland Development Code, part 5.7.

To apply for a Building Compliance Notice, use the form below. An inspection is required. Fees apply.

If a building fails to comply with prescribed building requirements, a reinspection will be required. Fees apply.

Premises intended to accommodate more than six people

Buildings intended to accommodate more than six people also must comply with Queensland Development Code, part 2.1. If a building fire safety inspection has not been done within the past six months, please contact Queensland Fire and Emergency Services for confirmation of compliance. For more information please refer to Queensland Fire and Emergency Services.

A building development application may be needed for a residential service building. The application must have an accompanying fire safety management plan that will, after the building work is carried out, comply with the Fire and Emergency Services Act 1990, Section 104FC. For further information, please contact a private building certifier.

Application for Building Compliance Notice

Use the form below to seek notification that your premises comply with the prescribed building requirements.

In person

Step 1.Gather your documents

You must include the following supporting information with your application:

  • copy of a certificate of classification to occupy the building
  • a floor plan showing size and location of rooms, kitchen facilities, dining facilities as well as location of common areas indoor and outdoor, emergency phone and smoke alarms
  • written advice from a certified electrician of testing within the past 6 months of early warning systems and emergency lighting
  • a completed and signed compliance checklist
  • fee payment (see application form).

Step 2.Complete the application form

Download, print and complete the Application for Building Compliance Notice in residential services buildings(PDF, 1MB).

Step 3.Visit one of our customer service centres

Submit your application and pay at one of our customer service centres Monday to Friday between 8.15am and 4.30pm.

By mail

Step 1.Gather your documents

You must include the following supporting information with your application:

  • copy of a certificate of classification to occupy the building
  • a floor plan showing size and location of rooms, kitchen facilities, dining facilities as well as location of common areas indoor and outdoor, emergency phone and smoke alarms
  • written advice from a certified electrician of testing within the past 6 months of early warning systems and emergency lighting
  • a completed and signed compliance checklist
  • fee payment (see application form).

Step 2.Complete the application form

Download, print and complete the Application for Building Compliance Notice in residential services buildings(PDF, 1MB).

Step 3.Send us your completed application form and payment

Post to:

City of Gold Coast
PO Box 5042
GCMC QLD 9726