How much notice does my landlord have to give before putting up my rent in Victoria?
A landlord must give you at least 60 days' written notice before increasing your rent in Victoria. They must use the official Consumer Affairs Victoria form. Additionally, rent can only be increased a maximum of once every 12 months, regardless of your lease type.
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How it works in practice
Rent Increase Rules in Victoria
In Victoria, residential tenancy laws provide strict protections regarding how and when a landlord can increase your rent. Your rental provider cannot simply call or email you to demand more money. They are legally required to provide you with at least 60 days' written notice before the new rental amount takes effect.
Required Official Documentation
This notice must be provided on the official "Notice of proposed rent increase to renter" form issued by Consumer Affairs Victoria. If the landlord does not use this specific form, or fails to provide the full 60 days' notice, the rent increase is considered legally invalid, and you do not have to pay the higher amount.
Frequency of Rent Increases
Additionally, Victorian law strictly limits the frequency of rent increases. For almost all rental agreements starting on or after 19 June 2019, your landlord can only increase the rent once every 12 months. This rule applies whether you are currently on a fixed-term lease or a month-to-month periodic agreement. If you are on a fixed-term lease, they cannot increase the rent during the term unless your lease agreement includes a specific clause explicitly allowing it.
Important exceptions
There are a few important exceptions to standard rent increase rules in Victoria.
If your lease started before 19 June 2019, your rent might be eligible for an increase every six months, depending on the specific terms of your agreement.
Additionally, if you live in a rooming house, a caravan park, or under a site agreement, the notice periods and frequency rules can vary slightly.
Finally, if your fixed-term lease agreement does not contain a specific provision allowing for a mid-lease rent increase, the landlord cannot raise the rent at all until the fixed term concludes.
What you should do now
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Check the notice to ensure it is on the official Consumer Affairs Victoria form and provides at least 60 days' notice.
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Review your current lease agreement to confirm it has been at least 12 months since your lease began or since your last rent increase.
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Research comparable rental properties in your local Melbourne or Victorian suburb to see if the proposed new rent is fair for the current market.
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Contact your landlord or property manager to negotiate the amount if you believe the proposed rent increase is unreasonably high.
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Apply to Consumer Affairs Victoria for a free rent assessment within 30 days of receiving the notice if you cannot reach an agreement and believe the increase is excessive.
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