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Dear Landlord
A self-help tool for renters in Victoria
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    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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    Have the police changed the locks?*
    • I’m not sure – how do I find out?

      If you’re not able to check if your locks have been changed you can find out a few ways:

      • You can call your real estate agency or your rental provider to find out.
      • You can call your local police station and ask to speak to the file clerk, who manages the VCAT warrants. Police can tell you if they have a VCAT warrant and if they have changed the locks (or when they are planning to change the locks if they haven’t yet).
      • You can call VCAT and ask if a warrant of possession has been ‘executed’ at your address.
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    Did you (or someone on your behalf) go to your VCAT hearing when a possession order was made?*
    • What does it mean if someone went on my behalf?

      If someone else went to your VCAT hearing and spoke on your behalf, VCAT will count that as you attending the hearing. If you’re not sure, you can check the bottom of your VCAT order under the member’s signature. It will say if the tenant did not attend the hearing. If it’s blank, this means VCAT considers that you attended.

      Sample image of a Notice to Vacate
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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.