Can my landlord kick me out without a reason in Victoria?
No, your landlord cannot legally kick you out without a reason in Victoria. "No-fault" evictions were abolished in 2021. To end your tenancy, they must provide a legally valid reason, such as selling the property, moving in, or major renovations, along with the correct written notice.
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How it works in practice
No-cause evictions are no longer permitted under Victorian rental laws. Since the 2021 tenancy reforms, a landlord cannot simply ask you to leave because they want the property back or your lease is rolling over.
Valid Reasons Required
To end a residential rental agreement, the rental provider (landlord) must issue a formal Notice to Vacate. This document must state a legally recognized reason approved by the Residential Tenancies Act.
Common Approved Grounds
Common valid reasons include the landlord intending to sell the property, moving in themselves, or conducting significant renovations that require the property to be empty. They can also evict you if you have breached the rental agreement, such as repeatedly failing to pay rent or causing malicious damage.
Notice Periods
The amount of notice you receive depends strictly on the reason given. For example, if the landlord is selling the property, they must give you at least 60 days' written notice. If you are being evicted for serious damage or endangering neighbors, the notice period can be 14 days or less. You do not have to move out if the notice is invalid or lacks proper evidence.
Important exceptions
While landlords cannot evict you without a reason for periodic (month-to-month) or ongoing leases, there is an exception for the end of a fixed-term agreement if it is the very first fixed-term lease you signed for that specific property.
In this exact scenario, a landlord can issue a Notice to Vacate for the "end of a fixed-term rental agreement" without providing an additional reason, but they must give you at least 90 days' notice before the end date. If you sign a subsequent or second lease for the same property, this exception no longer applies.
What you should do now
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Check the Notice to Vacate to ensure it is on the official form, includes a specific, legally recognized reason, and gives the correct notice period.
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Request documentary evidence from your landlord if they claim they are selling, renovating, or moving a family member into the property.
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Continue paying your rent as usual while you verify the validity of the eviction notice and plan your next steps.
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Contact Tenants Victoria or Consumer Affairs Victoria immediately for free legal advice if you believe the notice is invalid, retaliatory, or lacks evidence.
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Refuse to leave and wait for a VCAT hearing if you formally dispute the notice, as only the tribunal can issue a binding possession order.
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