JacM, Tks for your info.  Neighbour next door notified council that it was a rooming house (why I don't know as there were only 3 quiet people on property with no parking issues) council came to inspect property and declared it a rooming house which changes building classification from 1A to 1B. I have no choice but to implement works and apply for the permit.  Firstly I have to get a Building Surveyor and go thru the necessary steps for the permit. Which council said they would issue afterwards.  Tks for yr adv

Rang Terri Cheer no go – who put me onto another company – same reply. Rang GIO CGU RACV (& other ins co's) rang Brokers Assoc. no go who put me onto Financial Ombudsman in Victoria – they no of no one.  Rang a Boarding house who said their insurance is thru Lloyd's of London but thru a broker in Aust (won't give Brokers name for some reason or another).  Back to square one.
Apparently all insurance companies find rooming houses high risk (because they are individuals unrelated, one tenant could take to a dislike to another tenant and could effectively set their belongings on fire etc).  I think with today's rental crisis it seems such a shame that you cannot support individuals etc due to legalities etc. 

Hi, a rooming house is considered such by council with 2 or more individual people renting a house room by room (locks to bedroom door and communal living spaces) and people stay between 3 – 12 months.  Had to put in hardwired smoke detectors to bedrooms & emergency lighting.  Insurance companies will only give landlord insurance if 2 individual people only rent house and no locks to bedrooms.   Can anyone help pleaseeeeeeeeeeee