Rental resources
External assistance
- Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) is the governing body responsible for the Residential Tenancies Act (1997) and they can help you with rental information and advice. They also offer a dispute resolution service. You can call CAV on 1300 55 81 81 or find them on Facebook. You can download the Consumer Affairs Victoria Rentright App for important information and tools to help you manage your tenancy.
- The Tenants Union of Victoria (TUV) was established to protect tenants' rights; they can assist with free and confidential advice if you have a tenancy issue. Publications produced by the TUV are available in multiple languages. You can call TUV for confidential and free advice on +61 3 9416 2577.
- The Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria (DSCV) offers a free mediation service which can help if you have a co-tenancy dispute. Phone DSCV: +61 3 9603 8310.
- Environment Victoria has tips on how to reduce your environmental impact when renting.
La Trobe Student Legal Service
The La Trobe Student Legal Service is a partnership between La Trobe University and West Heidelberg Community Legal – a service of Banyule Community Health.
The service provides free and confidential legal help to students enrolled at La Trobe University across all campuses.
Government support
- Rent assistance provides financial help if you are paying rent and receiving a Centrelink payment. Open to Australian residents. Eligibility criteria apply.
- Utility relief scheme offers support if you find that you are unable to pay utility bills due to a temporary financial crisis. Open to Australian residents, eligibility criteria apply.
- You may be able to borrow money through a Bond Loan Scheme if you are on a low income and can't afford to pay the bond for a rental property. Eligibility criteria apply.
- The Housing Establishment Fund may be able to help you if who are homeless or in a housing crisis. Eligibility criteria apply. For advice on HEF phone 1800 825 955.
- MoneyHelp is supported by the Victoria and Australian Governments and offers help if you are struggling with bills, debt and ongoing expenses.
Disclaimer
The content on our website is intended only to provide a summary and general overview on matters of interest. It is not intended to be comprehensive, nor to constitute legal advice. You should always obtain legal or other professional advice, appropriate to your own circumstances, before acting or relying on any of that content. Your use of this website, and your reliance on its content, is entirely at your own risk.