Get more free legal help
If you are unsure whether the rent increase notice is valid, what your options are, or whether you should apply to VCAT, we recommend seeking legal advice.
There are a number of services which can provide free legal help.
- Justice Connect’s Homeless Law can provide legal and social work supports to people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
- Q+Law can provide assistance to members of the LGBTIQA+ communities with renting issues.
- Tenants Victoria can provide legal help and advice over the phone to renters.
- Victoria Legal Aid can provide legal advice and assistance over the phone or via webchat with renting issues.
- Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service can provide legal help to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples including about renting issues.
- Your local community legal centre might also be able to provide advice or representation. You can find your local community legal centre here.
Get financial support
If you’re worried about whether you can afford a proposed rent increase or struggling with your finances, speak to a financial counsellor sooner rather than later.
Financial counsellors are qualified professionals who provide free information, advice and advocacy if you are in financial difficulty or struggling with debts. In particular, they can help you understand:
- whether the proposed rent increase is affordable for you based on your situation,
- whether you are eligible for any financial support or concessions.
You can access financial counselling through:
- National Debt Helpline which can assist with money issues and financial counselling
- Mob Strong Debt Helpline which can support Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples with money issues.
You may be eligible for a one-off payment towards your rent if you are in financial stress, through the Victorian Government’s Private Rental Assistance Program. Call your local homelessness and housing organisation to find out if you can access the program.
