Justice Connect is proud to launch the latest version of Dear Landlord: a free, online self-help tool, which gives Victorian renters a voice at VCAT and helps them stay housed.

Digital innovation to meet need at scale

As the housing and cost-of-living crises continue, the number of renters needing help is rising. Demand for free legal help continues to exceed available services, with Community Legal Centres turning away 1,000 people a day.

Last year, there were more than 13,000 applications for rent arrears evictions in Victoria, but despite the high number of eviction proceedings, only around 30% of renters attend their hearings. 

Too often, people lose their homes not because they lack a valid case, but because they do not know their rights, cannot access legal representation, or do not know what to say at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).

Against this backdrop and developed using lived experience insights, Justice Connect has launched a brand-new version of Dear Landlord, a digital self-help tool enabling renters to stay in their homes.

Giving Renters a Voice at VCAT: New Dear Landlord to Help Victorians Stay Housed

Dear Landlord has been expanded to give people facing eviction a voice at VCAT.

Self-advocating at VCAT can be stressful and overwhelming. The new Dear Landlord breaks the process into manageable steps, helping renters understand their options, prepare for their hearing and participate with greater confidence. 

Through new functionality, the tool helps renters to:

• Respond to possession order applications for rent arrears 
• Prepare a payment plan agreement for their rental provider or VCAT 
• Prepare speaking notes and other documents to take to their hearing 
• Understand what to expect at a VCAT hearing
• Take practical steps to help prevent eviction 
  

Dear Landlord’s impact

We initially developed Dear Landlord in 2020. It was a lifeline for renters in Victoria experiencing the financial impacts of COVID-19 and ongoing cost-of-living pressures. Since then, Dear Landlord has supported over 183,000 Victorian renters.

We know early intervention self-help tools work.
In 2025 surveys of Dear Landlord users, 90% (n=93) told us that Dear Landlord increased their confidence in communicating with their rental provider.  

Six months later, the tool’s impact remained. Of users surveyed, 90% (n=10) reported that Dear Landlord had improved their housing situation, and 70% (n=10) stated that it had a positive impact on their mental health. 

One-to-one legal services remain essential, but demand continues to exceed available capacity. Dear Landlord forms part of Justice Connect’s broader work to increase access to justice through practical, scalable tools that help people understand their rights and take action.

Justice Connect is grateful to all our generous supporters, and particularly acknowledges funding by Greater Melbourne Foundation and the Victorian Legal Services Board + Commissioner whose support make it possible for more Victorian renters facing financial insecurity to stay housed. We also thank the users of Dear Landlord who have shared their valuable insights and contributions in our development of the tool.