A Proven Process.
Exceptional Outcomes.
Every RPG project follows a disciplined, transparent process, built over years of delivering Class 1B rooming house developments across the inner Melbourne market. Here is exactly how we work.
No Shortcuts. No Surprises.
The difference between a profitable rooming house development and a costly one often comes down to process. Every decision made without proper sequencing, due diligence or expert input adds risk, and that risk compounds across a project.
RPG's process has been refined across multiple developments to eliminate the common points of failure, from poor site selection and planning delays through to underfurnished rooms and poorly managed tenancies. This is what we do, and how we do it.
Disciplined
Every stage is sequenced to reduce risk and protect your investment from the first decision to the last.
Transparent
You'll know what's happening, why it's happening and what comes next, at every point in the process.
Expert
Each stage is led by specialists, not generalists. The right person is in the right seat at every phase.
Accountable
We set clear timelines and hold ourselves to them. When things change, we communicate immediately and adjust together.
Discovery
Consultation, brief and feasibility
Site & Acquisition
Identification, due diligence, purchase
Planning
DA, permits and compliance
Construction
Build management and quality control
Fit-Out
Furnishing, styling and photography
Launch
Tenant acquisition and move-in
Management
Ongoing operations and reporting
Discovery & Consultation
Every RPG engagement begins with a structured discovery session, an in-depth conversation designed to understand your goals, investment capacity, timeline and risk tolerance. There is no generic sales pitch here. We want to understand your specific situation before recommending anything.
A clear, mutual understanding of your investment goals and how RPG can best deliver them, with a tailored project scope and indicative timeline.
What we cover
Your investment goals, preferred asset class, budget, timeframe, risk appetite, prior property experience and any existing assets.
What you'll receive
A written project summary outlining the recommended service engagement, initial scope and next steps, within five business days of your consultation.
Site Identification & Due Diligence
We apply a rigorous site selection framework to identify properties that meet our acquisition criteria, below-market pricing, compliant zoning, favourable overlays and strong co-living demand fundamentals. We prioritise off-market opportunities wherever possible.
Every shortlisted site undergoes detailed due diligence before any commitment is made, title review, overlay analysis, comparative sales assessment, and a preliminary development feasibility model.
A validated site with a clear development case, including feasibility projections, yield modelling and a recommended development scope.
Our acquisition criteria
Compliant Residential Growth Zone or equivalent, lot size supporting Class 1B room count, infrastructure quality, walkable amenity and strong co-living demand indicators.
What due diligence covers
Title search, restrictive covenants, planning overlays, flood and heritage checks, comparable sales, council requirements and preliminary cost estimates.
Your involvement
We present shortlisted sites for your review and approval before proceeding. Nothing moves forward without your explicit sign-off.
Planning & Approvals
Our planning team manages the full permit and approval process, from initial concept drawings and neighbourhood character assessments through to Development Application lodgement and council liaison. We know what councils want and how to present projects that get approved efficiently.
A planning permit for a compliant Class 1B rooming house, including all conditions addressed and construction-ready documentation.
What's included
Architectural drawings, shadow diagrams, neighbourhood character reports, materials and finishes schedule, planning permit application and council liaison throughout.
Typical timeline
Planning permits for Class 1B developments in the inner Melbourne corridor typically take 3-6 months. We manage the process to minimise delays.
Construction & Development
RPG manages the full construction phase, from builder engagement and contract negotiation through to on-site supervision, quality control and progress reporting. We work with licensed, experienced builders who understand the specific requirements of compliant rooming house construction.
You receive monthly progress reports, site photos and financial updates throughout the construction phase. There are no surprise variations, our contracts are designed to protect your budget from the outset.
A fully constructed, compliant Class 1B rooming house, passed all inspections, issued with occupancy certification, and ready for fit-out.
How we manage builders
Fixed-price contracts, milestone-based payment schedules, independent inspections at critical stages, and weekly on-site oversight by our project management team.
What you receive
Monthly progress reports with photos, budget tracking against contract, variation register and updated completion timeline.
Furnishing & Fit-Out
Once construction is complete and occupancy certification is issued, our furniture and fit-out team takes over. We install the complete furniture package, coordinated, styled and photographed, so your property is market-ready from day one.
The quality of furnishing directly determines the quality of tenant attracted and the rent achieved. This stage is not an afterthought, it's a core part of the investment return strategy.
A beautifully furnished, professionally photographed rooming house, ready to advertise and tenant immediately.
Furniture tiers available
Essentials, Signature and Prestige, all purpose-built for co-living durability and tenant appeal. Bespoke design also available.
What's included
Full furniture installation, styling, professional photography and a room-by-room inspection report for your records.
Tenant Acquisition & Launch
Our property management team takes over from fit-out completion to handle the full tenant acquisition process, listings, inspections, applications, screening and lease execution. We target quality, stable tenants who fit the co-living environment and meet our qualification standards.
A fully tenanted rooming house, all rooms leased to qualified, screened tenants with executed agreements and bonds lodged.
Our tenant criteria
Employment verification, rental history, identity and reference checks are completed for every applicant, along with an assessment of their ability to meet tenancy obligations and contribute positively to a shared living environment. Every tenant is individually screened before placement.
Average time to full occupancy
Most RPG rooming houses reach full occupancy within 2-4 weeks of listing, subject to market conditions.
Ongoing Management & Reporting
Once your asset is tenanted, RPG can transition into full property management mode. We handle everything, rent collection, maintenance, compliance, tenant communications, lease renewals and monthly owner reporting. Your involvement is as minimal as you want it to be.
We treat your rooming house as an operating asset, not a passive investment. That means proactively managing rent reviews, addressing maintenance before it escalates, and continuously monitoring occupancy performance.
A consistently performing, compliantly managed rooming house asset, generating premium yields with zero owner involvement required.
What management includes
Rent collection, arrears management, maintenance coordination, compliance audits, lease renewals, tenant communications and monthly owner statements.
Your monthly report covers
Occupancy rate, rent collected, maintenance activity, upcoming lease renewals, compliance status and any items requiring owner attention.
Our Commitment to Every Client
Regardless of which service you engage us for, development, management, house removal, money partnering, furnishing or flipping, these are the standards we hold ourselves to on every project.
Complete transparency
You'll know exactly what's happening at every stage, no surprises, no hidden costs, no unexplained delays.
Proactive communication
We don't wait for you to ask. You'll hear from us before you need to reach out, with updates, decisions and recommendations.
Fixed timelines with accountability
We set realistic project timelines and hold ourselves to them. When circumstances change, we tell you immediately.
Decisions supported by data
Every recommendation we make is backed by feasibility modelling, market data and comparable evidence, never guesswork.
Your approval at every gate
Nothing significant moves forward without your explicit sign-off. You remain in control at every major decision point.
A team that is invested in outcomes
We don't get paid well when your project underperforms. Our model is built around delivering results, not just completing tasks.
Questions About Our Process
These are the questions we hear most often from new clients. If yours isn't here, get in touch and we'll walk you through it directly.
How long does a typical RPG development take?
From initial consultation to the first tenants moving in, a typical Class 1B rooming house development takes 12-18 months, depending on site complexity, planning timeframes and construction scope. We'll provide a detailed project timeline during the feasibility stage.
Do I need to be involved day-to-day?
No. RPG is designed to operate without requiring day-to-day client involvement. You'll receive regular reporting and be consulted on key decisions, but the operational execution is entirely managed by our team.
What does RPG charge for its services?
Our fees are project and service-specific. We'll provide a full fee schedule as part of the initial project proposal, before any commitment is made. We don't charge for the initial consultation.
Can I engage RPG for just one service, or does it need to be the full package?
You can engage RPG for any individual service, development, management, house removal, money partnering, furnishing or flipping, as a standalone engagement. Many clients start with one service and expand their relationship with us over time.
What happens if planning is delayed or refused?
We manage planning proactively to minimise delays, but if issues arise, we brief you immediately and present options. In the rare case of refusal, we assess appeal prospects and alternative development scenarios before recommending a path forward.
Ready to start the process?
Book a consultation with our team and we'll walk you through exactly how an RPG project works, from your first site inquiry through to a fully tenanted, managed asset.