If you’re a Victorian renter behind in rent or worried you might fall behind in rent, use Dear Landlord, a free online self-help tool to guide you through your options and help you take action.

Dear Landlord is a free self-help tool available to all Victorians living in private rental (you may rent the property directly from the rental provider or through a real estate agent). Dear Landlord can help you:

  Understand your options to stay safely in your home.
  Draft a letter to your rental provider to negotiate a payment plan or rent reduction.
  Prepare for VCAT or lodge a VCAT review application if you missed your hearing.
  Find important financial and legal help.

Use Dear Landlord

At risk of homelessness? 

You can contact Justice Connect’s Homeless Law service.

Get help

Free resources for Victorian renters

Find out more about the eviction process, the new Victorian rental laws, information about VCAT rental hearings, and what to do if you’re living outside of Victoria.

 

  Victoria has new renting laws.

Under the renting laws which came into effect on 29 March 2021, the eviction process has changed. This means if you fall behind in rent due to COVID-19, your rental provider can take steps to evict you.

Dear Landlord has been updated to help you navigate these changes.

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

Understanding your rights as a renter

Further financial and legal support

Where to get legal help

Justice Connect
Ph: 03 8636 4408 / 1800 606 313 (free from landlines)

Apply online at help.justiceconnect.org.au/homelesslaw

Tenants Victoria
Ph: 03 9416 2577

Victoria Legal Aid
Ph: 1300 792 387

Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service
For Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples
Ph: 03 9418 5999

Some community legal centres provide legal help with tenancy matters.
Find your local community legal centre on the Federation of Community Legal Centres (Vic) website.

Where to find family violence support

Safe steps
24/7 family violence support service
Ph: 1800 015 188

1800RESPECT
Family violence counselling, information and referral service
Ph: 1800 737 732

Where to find financial help

National Debt Helpline
Talk to a financial counsellor.
Ph: 1800 007 007

MoneySmart budget planner

More resources for housing and social services

Social workers

Social workers can provide one-on-one support when you’re going through a difficult time. Contact your local community service or local Council to find out what support services may be available to you.

Tenant advocates

Find your local Tenancy Assistance and Advocacy Program provider on the Consumer Affairs Victoria website.

For public and community housing tenants
Find your local Tenancy Plus support provider online.

Housing

If you are homeless or at risk of homelessness call the Victorian Statewide Homelessness Support Line on 1800 825 955. If you call during the day you will be connected to your nearest homelessness entry service. If you call outside of business hours, you will be connected to an after-hours service.

More resources:

  • VCAT

  • Consumer Affairs Victoria
    Contact to retrieve goods left behind by tenants

  • Ask Izzy
    Online tool that helps you find local help services.
    Telstra mobile users can access Ask Izzy even if they don’t have credit.