Rent increases must follow Victorian rental laws. Both renters and rental providers have rights and responsibilities when it comes to changes in rent, specifically rent increases, when the amount of the increase is considered to be excessive.
For rental providers, raising rent may feel necessary due to rising costs. For renters, an increase may feel excessive, especially when it’s higher than expected.
We understand that being unable to afford to pay the rent is challenging and stressful. However, not being able to afford the rent is not a valid legal reason to challenge a rent increase. If you are a renter who is experiencing financial challenges, you can contact Tenants Victoria, who offer financial hardship support.
If the rent increase is above the market range, you can challenge it
If there is a disagreement over excessive rent, renters can request help. The first step is to get a rent assessment from Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV). They will work out the property's market rental value to assess whether the rent is too high. They will send a report to you and your rental provider.
If CAV's report confirms the rent is excessive, but your rental provider will not agree to reduce it, we can help resolve your dispute.
How rental increases work in Victoria
There are laws that govern rental increases in Victoria, including:
- How often the landlord can increase the rent and the notice period required,
- The renter's right to apply for a review if they believe the increase is excessive.
A rent increase is only valid if the rental provider has complied with the law.
Some of the things a rental provider must do include using the correct form from Consumer Affairs Victoria with all the required details, and ensuring the renter has at least 90 days' notice before the rent increase applies.
Rental laws recently changed, and rent increases issued before 25 November 2025 only required a minimum 60 day notice period.
How we help
RDRV is a service provided by VCAT to help renters and rental providers resolve rental disputes early, without going to a hearing. One type of dispute we can help with is excessive rent.
How to apply
You can apply online via myRDRV or visit us at one of our locations across Victoria to complete your application in person. If you have received a rent assessment report from Consumer Affairs Victoria, please attach it to your application.
Not ready to apply? If you have questions, call us. We can explain the process of challenging a rental increase so you can decide your next steps.
You must apply to RDRV within 30 days of receiving a rent assessment report from Consumer Affairs Victoria.
What happens after you apply
We will assign a resolution coordinator to your case. After they review your application, they will contact you to discuss your case. They will stay with your case until your dispute is resolved.
A resolution coordinator will:
- Check whether the rent increase complies with the law.
Review your rent assessment report from Consumer Affairs Victoria.
Contact the other party to understand their side and gather any evidence.
Work with both sides to reach an agreement that complies with the law.
Help you get a decision at a hearing if you and the other party cannot reach an agreement through mediation.
If a rental provider (landlord) wants to increase the rent they must follow specific rent increase rules. If they do not follow these rules, the increase may be invalid.
How does RDRV work?
RDRV is a specialist rental dispute resolution and case management service provided by VCAT.
Using myRDRV, our online portal, can help you save time. We can work with you face-to-face or remotely, so you can choose to sort things out from anywhere that's convenient.
Here's how it works:
Step1: Submit an application
If you have a rental dispute, you can apply online through myRDRV, our online portal. You’ll need to provide your details and some basic information about what happened.
Step 2: Case review
Once your application is submitted, a resolution coordinator will review the information and get in touch with you to discuss your options.
Step 3: Resolution process
We communicate with both parties - renters and rental providers - to try and find a fair solution. We use mediation and negotiation techniques to help everyone involved reach an agreement that complies with rental laws.
What if you and the other party can’t agree?
Although most disputes are resolved within the RDRV early resolution process, sometimes an agreement can’t be reached. If you cannot agree, we can help you get a decision at a hearing.
If you need to go to a hearing, standard VCAT application fees will apply.
Your resolution coordinator will help you through the entire process. They’ll let the right people know what has happened with your application so far and that you have not reached an agreement. They will also help you to prepare your case for the hearing.
How often can a rental provider raise the rent?
Rental providers can’t raise rent whenever they want, or for however much they want - certain laws and notice periods must be followed:
- Notice period: Rent can only increase if the rental provider gives at least 90 days written notice.
- Frequency limits: Increases are limited to once every 12 months for most agreements.
- Fixed-term leases: If the lease specifies a rent increase, the terms in the agreement must be followed.
- Market rate considerations: The rent increase should reflect fair market conditions. For example, if market rent for 2 bedroom apartments in Richmond is between $380 - $420 each week, a rental increase to $400 each week may be considered fair and reasonable.
Tips for handling rent increases
- Check your rental agreement to see if rent increases are allowed and how often
- If you receive a rent increase notice, make sure it follows the required notice period
- Compare your rent with similar properties in the area to see if the increase is reasonable.
- If you believe the increase is unfair, talk to your rental provider
- If they don’t agree, apply to Consumer Affairs Victoria for a rent assessment
Frequently asked questions
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Generally, rent can only be increased once every 12 months for most agreements. If you’re unsure, call CAV on 1300 55 8181 and we’ll check if the increase is legal.
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Renters have the right to challenge an excessive rent increase. If you think your rent has gone up too much, you can apply to CAV for a review.
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CAV is responsible for assessing a proposed rent increase in Victoria. Should the matter remain unresolved after a CAV assessment. a dispute must be submitted through RDRV instead of directly to VCAT. This is a requirement under new legislation as part of the Victorian Government's 2024-2034 Housing Statement.
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If you think your rent increase is too high, you can speak with your rental provider to try to reach an agreement on a different amount. If you cannot reach an agreement, apply to Consumer Affairs Victoria for a rent assessment. You can then apply to RDRV to go through a case review and resolution process.
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After you apply to RDRV, we’ll do everything we can to help you find a solution to your rent increase dispute. However, in some more complex cases, a dispute may end up having to go to a hearing. If this happens, your RDRV Resolution Coordinator will support you through the process and provide everything you have given us to the right people. This will make the process faster, so you don’t have to provide the same information twice. You will need to give evidence and present your story to a Member at the hearing. If you have to go to a hearing, you may have to pay an application fee. You can find information about costs, concessions, and discounts here.
How to confirm if your rent increase is excessive
Before you apply to RDRV, if you believe your rent increase might be higher than it should be, request a rent assessment from Consumer Affairs Victoria. If they find that your new rent is above market rates for similar homes in your area, they will send you a report to confirm the increase is excessive.