Dear Landlord

Behind in your rent?

You're not alone

If you're a Victorian renter, Dear Landlord is a free, self-guided tool that can help you stay in your home. Whether it’s helping you write a letter to your rental provider or giving you legal information and helpful tips, Dear Landlord can point you in the right direction.

What do you need help with?

I’m struggling to pay rent-+

If you are struggling to pay rent, or are behind in rent, Dear Landlord can help you to:

Navigate what your options are, even before you fall behind in rent
Draft a payment plan request to your rental provider (this is what a landlord is now called) if you are behind in rent
Find further financial or legal help based on your circumstances

Tell us your situation

I’ve got a Notice to Vacate-+

If you’re more than 14 days behind in rent, your landlord can give you a Notice to Vacate but you have options to stay in your home. If you have received a Notice to Vacate, Dear Landlord can help you:

Understand what your options are
Draft a payment plan request to your rental provider (this is what a landlord is now called)
Find further financial or legal help based on your circumstances

Tell us your situation

I have a question about VCAT-+

If you have an upcoming VCAT hearing, have already attended or missed a VCAT hearing for being behind in rent, Dear Landlord can help you:

Understand what to expect at the hearing
Draft a payment plan request to your rental provider (this is what a landlord is now called)
Understand your options and draft a review application if you missed your VCAT hearing
Find further financial or legal help based on your circumstances

Tell us your situation

The police have told me they are going to evict me-+

If you have been told by police you are going to be evicted from your home, Dear Landlord can help you:

Find urgent legal and financial help
Understand your options and your rights when being evicted

Tell us your situation

I’m looking for guidance about ending my rental agreement-+

If you want to end your lease, or have questions about ending a periodic or fixed term lease, Dear Landlord can help you:

Understand your options if you want to break your lease
Understand your options if you need to break your lease due to family violence and/or financial hardship
Explore your options to negotiate with your landlord if you want to stay in your home.

Tell us your situation

I’ve got questions about a rent reduction agreement or order made during COVID-19-+

If you have a rent reduction agreement or a dispute resolution order made during COVID-19, Dear Landlord can help you:

Understand how the renting laws have changed since 29 March 2021
Understand what it means for your rent reduction agreement or dispute resolution order if it expires after 29 March 2021

Tell us your situation

Not sure what to select?

Try our Situation Helper Or tell me How Dear Landlord Works Who can use Dear Landlord

How Dear Landlord works

Dear Landlord makes it easy for you to figure out your options if you’re behind in rent.

Step 1 Choose an option that best suits your situation. You can start by watching the eviction process video if you're unsure.
Step 2 Dear Landlord will direct you to your options and where to get support.
Step 3 Dear Landlord will help you take steps to act.

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Who can use Dear Landlord

Dear Landlord can help you if:

You are renting a residential property in Victoria, Australia.
You rent from a private rental provider, not a public or community housing provider. You may rent directly from the rental provider or through a real estate agency.
You are behind in rent or might fall behind in rent.
You are an Australian citizen, permanent resident, temporary or any other type of visa holder.

If your legal problem is not related to falling behind on rent but you are at risk of eviction or experiencing other problems with housing, apply for legal help on Justice Connect's website.

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