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Dear Landlord
A self-help tool for renters in Victoria
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    Getting Started

    Answer a few questions to establish what your situation is and Dear Landlord will help you understand what your options are.

    Disclaimer

    The content of Dear Landlord is legal information for general guidance and not legal advice. You may want to seek legal advice from a lawyer to understand how the law applies to your specific circumstances. You do not become a client of Justice Connect by using this tool.

    By using this tool, you must agree to Justice Connect’s disclaimer.


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    Has your rental provider given you notice of a rent increase?*
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    Have you already applied to Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) for a review of the rent increase notice?*
    CAV is a government agency that can review whether a rent increase is valid.
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    Have you received a decision from CAV?*
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    Did CAV find either of the following?*
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    When did your rental provider give you the notice?*
    The date your rental provider gave it to you is in part 6 of the notice.
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    Is the rental agreement fixed term or periodic?*
    The rental agreement is also known as the lease.

    • How do I know what type of rental agreement I have?

      You can check your rental agreement to find out if it’s fixed term or not.

      A fixed term is where you have an agreement for a set period of time. It is common to sign a lease for a period of 12 months, but it can be shorter or longer.

      A periodic lease is where your agreement is month by month without an end date. This usually occurs after a fixed term agreement expires and you do not sign a new fixed term agreement.

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    Did your periodic (month to month) rental agreement begin before 19 June 2019?*
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    Has your rent already been increased in the last 6 months?*
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    Has your rent already been increased in the last 12 months?*
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    Is your rent due to be increased during your fixed term agreement or at the end of your fixed term agreement?*
    • How do I know whether the rent increase was included in the fixed term agreement?

      You can check your rental agreement and see if it says that your rent will be increased during your fixed term agreement.

      If your rent can be increased during your fixed term agreement, your rental agreement might include a term like:

      • “Your rent will be increased during the fixed term agreement by $50 per week. Your rent cannot be increased by more than $50 per week during the fixed term agreement.”
      • “Your rent can be increased during the fixed term agreement by reference to the metropolitan rent index. Your rent cannot be increased by more than the amount calculated using the metropolitan rent index.”

      If your rental agreement does not include a term that your rent can be increased during the fixed term agreement, then your rental provider is not allowed to increase it during the fixed term period.

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    Do you think the proposed rent is too much compared to similar rental properties in your area?

    Things to consider when comparing your rental to others in the area:
    • The rent amount
    • Facilities or features of the property
    • The general condition and repair issues
    • Any work you have done on the rental (with the rental provider’s consent)
    • Anything the rental provider pays for (e.g. utilities)
    • Anything extra that you pay for
    • Any changes to the property (e.g. condition or facilities) since you started renting (or since the last rent increase)

    Do you think the proposed rent is too much compared to similar rental properties in your area?*
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    Did you receive your rent increase in the correct form?*
    • What does the correct form look like?

      This is the Consumer Affairs Victoria form that must use to increase your rent:

      Download complete form

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    What method did your rental provider use to calculate the rent increase?*
    The method used is in part 5 of your notice.
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    Has the rental provider included the correct information about how your rent was calculated?

    If your rental provider has used the Consumer Price Index (CPI) to calculate your rent increase, the notice needs to have the correct percentage increase based on the CPI for the relevant time period. The amount the rent has been increased by as a dollar figure should correspond with the CPI increase that your rental provider has included on the notice.
    You can check that your rental provider has used the correct CPI on the Australian Bureau of Statistics website.
    Example of correct wording: “The rent increase will be by 1.8% in line with the Consumer Price Index increase as reported by the Australian Bureau of Statistics for the September 2022 quarter.
    Example of incorrect wording: “Consumer Price Index”

    Has the rental provider included the correct information about how your rent was calculated?(CPI)*
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    Has the rental provider included the correct information about how your rent was calculated?

    If your rental provider has used comparative rental properties to calculate your rent increase, the notice must include information or documentation of the properties used in the comparison. This information should include similar rental properties in your area, their condition, key features and the rent amount. This can be attached to the notice, but it must be given with the notice, not afterwards.
    For example, if the notice contains a description and documentation of similar properties, including the location, key features and/or rental amounts, this is likely to be enough information.
    But if the notice simply stated, “market review” without giving any further information or documentation about the properties used to determine the new rent, this would not be enough information for the notice to be valid.

    Has the rental provider included the correct information about how your rent was calculated? (Comparative Market Review)*
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    Has the rental provider included the correct information about how your rent was calculated?

    If your rental provider has used a fixed percentage to calculate your rent increase, the notice needs to contain the specific percentage increase, and outline the process or steps used to calculate that percentage amount.
    Example of valid wording: “The rent increase will be a fixed increase of 3%”
    Example of invalid wording: “Rent increased by a fixed percentage”

    Has the rental provider included the correct information about how your rent was calculated?(Fixed Percentage)*
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    Has the rental provider included the correct information about how your rent was calculated?

    If your rental provider has used a fixed dollar amount to calculate your rent increase, the notice needs to contain the specific dollar amount of the increase, and outline the process or steps used to calculate that amount. 
    Example of valid wording: “Rent increased by a fixed dollar amount – $30/week in line with the Victorian median rent increase for March 2024 quarter as reported by the Victorian Government Rental Report.”
    Example of invalid wording: “Rent increased by a fixed dollar amount – $20/week”

    Has the rental provider included the correct information about how your rent was calculated? (Fixed dollar amount)*
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    The date the notice was sent should be written on the notice of rent increase.
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    The date the notice was sent should be written on the notice of rent increase.
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    COVID-19 financial support available for Victorians

    The Federal and Victorian Governments are offering a number of different types of COVID-19 financial support for Victorian individuals.

    For a rundown of the various kinds of support available during the pandemic, including the newly announced RENT RELIEF GRANT, see our What kind of COVID-19 financial support is available for Victorians?

    Last updated 10 September 2021

    What do the new rental laws mean?

    New renting laws came into effect on 29 March 2021. This means if you fall behind in rent due to COVID-19, your landlord – now referred to as a rental provider – can take steps to evict you.

    Under the new laws, there is no legal requirement for your rental provider to accept a rent reduction, unless you applied to Consumer Affairs Victoria or VCAT before 29 March 2021.

    If you have an existing rent reduction or rent deferral agreement or order made during COVID-19, use Dear Landlord to find out what this means for you.

    If you want to find out more information about the new laws, see our What do the new rental laws mean for Victorian renters?

    A guide to the eviction process

    Evictions follow a legal process. This is a step-by-step guide if you are behind in rent to help you understand your rights and how Dear Landlord can help you.

    How Dear Landlord can help

    If you are behind in rent, Dear Landlord can help you understand your options based on your circumstances, including drafting a payment plan request to your rental provider, drafting a VCAT review application, and finding further financial or legal help.