VCAT

You can take a wide range of residential tenancies issues to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT), especially when informal resolution has failed. VCAT handles disputes between renters and rental providers, residents and rooming house operators, and even issues involving the Director of Housing.  More details can be found at https://www.vcat.vic.gov.au/case-types/residential-tenancies

Common Residential Tenancy Issues Heard by VCAT

🔹 Bond Disputes

  • Disagreement over refund amounts
  • Claims for cleaning, damage, or unpaid rent
  • VCAT considers depreciation and fair wear and tear

🔹 Compensation Claims

  • Damage to property
  • Breach of agreement
  • Loss of amenity or quiet enjoyment

🔹 Repairs & Maintenance

  • Failure to carry out urgent or non-urgent repairs
  • Unsafe or uninhabitable conditions
  • Orders for repairs or rent reductions

🔹 Rent Issues

  • Excessive rent increases
  • Rent arrears and recovery
  • Rent reductions due to property condition

🔹 Breach of Duty

  • Failure to comply with house rules or minimum standards
  • Interference with privacy or quiet enjoyment
  • Misuse of shared facilities

🔹 Ending a Residency

  • Validity of notices to vacate
  • Eviction disputes
  • Claims of retaliatory or discriminatory eviction

🔹 Rooming House Specific Issues

  • Disputes over shared room arrangements
  • Failure to provide required documents (e.g., house rules, resident guide)
  • Breaches of the Rooming House Operators Act or Residential Tenancies Act
Before You Apply to VCAT

Some issues—like bond, compensation, repairs, and excessive rent—must first go through Rental Dispute Resolution Victoria (RDRV) via myRDRV. If unresolved, you can escalate to VCAT.

More information on the RDRV process can be found at rdrv.vic.gov.au/help-rental-providers

What VCAT Can Do
  • Make binding orders (e.g., compensation, repairs, eviction)
  • Resolve disputes quickly and affordably
  • Consider evidence like condition reports, photos, receipts, and communication logs

If you’re managing a rooming house, having a clear documentation trail and onboarding process can dramatically improve your position in any dispute.

Further information on the documents, notice periods and processes involved can be found here:

Notice to vacate in a rooming house - Consumer Affairs Victoria

Evictions and possession orders - Consumer Affairs Victoria

RAAV have also produced a handy checklist for bond claims and an evidence eviction pack to take you through the documentation you need to provide which are available in the Resources section.

RAAV is currently developing a new e-learning module specifically on Formal Dispute Resolution that should be available by the end of the year.