Okay, all done!
You will receive 2 emails
One email will contain the letter in the body of the email that you can edit and forward on to your rental provider or real estate agency (make sure you attach the payment plan form!).
The second email will have the information on this page so you can refer back to it or download your payment plan again at a later date. If you don’t receive the emails, contact homelesslaw@justiceconnect.org.au
Step 1: Download your payment plan
Your payment plan has been generated and a copy has been emailed to you. Please review it to ensure the details are correct.
Step 2: Email your rental provider or real estate agency
Before you send the payment plan, read through and make sure you’re happy with it. If you have co-renters, make sure they are also comfortable with the payment plan before sending.
We have also sent you a personalised email template for you to use when you send the payment plan to your rental provider.
Once received, your rental provider or real estate agency will let you know if they are willing to accept the payment plan proposal. If you do not hear back from your rental provider or real estate agency, you can follow them up for an answer.
Step 3: Reaching an agreement with your rental provider
If your rental provider agrees to the payment plan, they will send the completed payment plan form to VCAT. This should be done by the date listed in the directions order that VCAT sent you. The directions order explains the steps you should take and asks you to include information showing you can repay the rent. Evidence you could provide could include a pay slip, bank balance or Centrelink statement.
Step 4: If you don’t reach an agreement, submit your documents to VCAT by the due date
You should submit your draft payment plan to VCAT, even if the rental provider has not agreed. This should be done by the date specified in the directions order that VCAT sent you.
The directions order explains the steps you should take and asks you to include information showing you can repay the rent. Evidence you could provide could include a pay slip, bank balance or Centrelink statement.
If a payment plan is not agreed upon, a hearing will be scheduled. You can still present your payment plan at the hearing. If this happens, we recommend seeking legal help. Dear Landlord can also help you to prepare for your hearing.
What happens if I can’t stick to my payment plan?
If you can’t keep up with the payment plan, your rental provider may ask VCAT for a hearing to try to evict you.
It’s best to speak to your rental provider or real estate agent as soon as possible if this is the case. You might be able to arrange for your payment plan to be changed to a more affordable amount.
If a VCAT hearing is scheduled, you may be able to re-negotiate a payment plan. Dear Landlord can also help you to prepare for your hearing.
Get legal support
There are a number of free legal services which offer a range of support to renters, including advice and representation at VCAT. If you are at risk of being evicted, you should talk to a lawyer as soon as you can.
- Justice Connect may provide legal help at VCAT if you are at risk of being evicted into homelessness.
- Tenants Victoria may provide legal advice over the phone, and may be able to represent you at the VCAT hearing.
- Victoria Legal Aid may provide legal advice over the phone, and have a duty lawyer service at some VCAT locations.
- Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service may provide legal advice and may be able to represent you at VCAT if you identify as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person.
- Your local community legal service may be able to provide legal advice or representation as well (Find a community legal centre through FCLC).
Tenancy Assistance and Advocacy Program may help people in private rentals who are at risk of eviction.
Get financial support
If you’re behind in rent 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. Find a financial counsellor.
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.
See the Dear Landlord FAQs for more financial help.
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While Justice Connect aims to develop tools that are helpful and informative, the content of Dear Landlord is legal information for general guidance and not legal advice. You may want to seek legal advice to understand how the law applies to your specific circumstances. You do not become a client of Justice Connect by using this tool. Read our full disclaimer and privacy policy. © Justice Connect 2026. This legal content in this tool was last updated in March 2026.
