Can I say no to a rent increase in Victoria?
No, you cannot simply say no or ignore a valid rent increase notice in Victoria. However, if you believe the proposed increase is excessive, you have the legal right to request a free rent assessment from Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) within 30 days of receiving the notice.
Was this helpful?
12 readers found this helpful
How it works in practice
Understanding Rent Increases
When a landlord issues a valid rent increase notice in Victoria, it becomes legally binding unless it is formally challenged. You cannot simply refuse to pay the new amount or ignore the official notice, as doing so puts your tenancy at risk of falling into rent arrears, which can lead to eviction.
Challenging an Excessive Increase
If you believe the proposed rent increase is unreasonably high compared to similar properties in your local market, you have specific legal protections. You can formally request a free rent assessment from Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV). It is highly critical that this request is submitted within 30 days of receiving the rent increase notice.
The Assessment Process
Once requested, a CAV inspector will evaluate the property and current local market rates. If the inspector concludes the rent increase is excessive, they will issue an official report. You can use this report to negotiate a fairer price with your landlord. If your landlord still refuses to lower the rent, you can use the CAV report to apply to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) for a legally binding order to set a maximum rent limit.
Important exceptions
If the rent increase notice is legally invalid—such as not providing the mandatory 60 days' written notice, or not being on the correct official form—you do not have to pay it.
Additionally, rent can only be increased a maximum of once every 12 months in Victoria. If your landlord attempts to increase the rent more frequently, the notice is invalid.
Finally, if you are on a fixed-term lease, your rent cannot be increased during the term unless your original tenancy agreement explicitly contains a clause detailing exactly how the increase will be calculated.
What you should do now
-
Check the rent increase notice to ensure it is on the correct official form and provides at least 60 days' written notice.
-
Research similar rental properties in your local area to determine if the proposed rent amount is genuinely excessive.
-
Contact your landlord or property manager in writing to negotiate a smaller increase before taking formal legal action.
-
Submit a request for a rent assessment to Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) within 30 days of receiving the notice if negotiations fail.
-
Apply to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) using the CAV assessment report if your landlord refuses to adjust the excessive rent.
Expert Notes
No expert notes have been added to this question yet.
People also asked
Explore highly relevant questions and get instant verified short answers.