Rental resources
You can access a range of print publications to help you understand your tenancy rights and responsibilities at any of these on-campus offices:
La Trobe Student Association also provide a tenancy advisory and advocacy service through the La Trobe Student Association Legal Service. You can see a lawyer from the Legal Service for free to get advice and help with your specific rental situation. Contact the La Trobe Student Association Legal Service on either 03 9479 6503 (for Metro students) or 03 5444 7354 (for Regional students).
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.
Rental publications
- 'Renting a Home: A Guide for Tenants' - the landlord must give you a copy of this guide before you sign a lease.
- 'Rooming Houses: A Guide for Residents' - the landlord must give you a copy of this guide before you sign an agreement.
- 'Keeping the mates in housemates' - produced by Tenants Union of Victoria, a helpful publication for shared households.
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.