If you are a renter in Victoria, living in a private rental property and falling behind with your rent, our self-help tools can help you to take early, proactive steps to try and avoid eviction.
Rent arrears are the most common reason people get evicted from private rental properties and we know that it can be hard to work out what do when facing rental stress.
Our self-help tools assist you to identify where you are in the eviction process and provide suggestions and practical assistance on what steps you can take to try and stay in your rental property.
What happens if you miss a rent payment? To get started, watch our video which provides an overview of the eviction process. Try to place yourself in the process (eg. Are you about to miss a rent payment? Have you received a Notice to Vacate?). This will help you identify what immediate steps you can take to try and stay on top of your situation.
Watch our videoThe Dear Landlord letter writer will ask you to enter some simple information (names, contact details, how much rent you owe and how much you can pay towards the arrears in addition to your rent) and draft a letter on your behalf that you can print or send by email to your landlord or real estate agent.
Legal help
Justice Connect
justiceconnect.org.au/our-services/homeless-law
Ph: 03 8636 4408 / 1800 606 313 (free from landlines)
Tenants Victoria
www.tuv.org.au
Ph: 03 9416 2577
Victoria Legal Aid
http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au
Ph: 1300 792 387
Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples)
https://vals.org.au
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:
https://www.fclc.org.au/find_a_community_legal_centre
Family violence support
Safe steps – 24/7 family violence support service
www.safesteps.org.au
Ph: 1800 015 188
1800RESPECT – family violence counselling, information and referral service
www.1800respect.org.au
Ph: 1800 737 732
Financial help
MoneyHelp
www.moneyhelp.org.au
National Debt Helpline – Talk to a financial counsellor
http://www.ndh.org.au/Talk-to-a-financial-counsellor
Ph: 1800 007 007
MoneySmart budget planner
www.moneysmart.gov.au/tools-and-resources/calculators-and-apps/budget-planner
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:
www.consumer.vic.gov.au/clubs-and-fundraising/funded-services-and-grants/tenancy-and-consumer-program-2017-21/tenancy-assistance-and-advocacy-program/tenancy-assistance-and-advocacy-program-providers-2018-19
For public and community housing tenants
Find your local Tenancy Plus support provider:
www.housing.vic.gov.au/tenancy-plus-support-program#tenancy-plus-support-providers
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.
Other useful resources:
VCAT
www.vcat.vic.gov.au
Consumer Affairs Victoria – Goods left behind by tenants
www.consumer.vic.gov.au/housing/renting/ending-a-lease-or-residency/goods-left-behind
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.
askizzy.org.au