A word from our CEO

As tenants face record low vacancy rates and surging rents, their woes have been generating headlines for months. What is urgently needed is a renewed focus on solutions. Every tier of government must step up and respond to the demographics – and dilemmas – of renting.

It's worth reminding ourselves that close to 30% of Victorians rent their home with nearly 90% of all tenants renting in the competitive private rental market. And, many people are renting for longer, or renting for life.

The provision of safe, secure, and affordable housing can no longer be just processed through the lens of home ownership or, indeed, the needs of 'mum and dad' landlord-investors. 

With the return of the Victorian Parliament after the election, we will continue to push for more reform and practical support for renters – including for frontline legal-support services, which offer a critical buffer against the risk of homelessness. 

Your invite: 'Generation rent'

Come along and contribute your voice to our interactive 'open mic session', Generation Rent, on Saturday March 11 between 12:30pm and 2pm. 

The free event, at the Queen Victoria Gardens opposite the National Gallery of Victoria, is part of the annual MPavilion series of public events. 

We want to hear the experiences of people navigating life as a renter in Melbourne. How do we forge connections with our neighbours? And do renters’ concerns really get enough airtime and attention?

The Age property reporter Jim Malo will join Tenants Victoria's Farah Farouque at this one-off event to explore the present and future of renting in our city through your stories.

All about rent increases

We've had many renters contact us about what to do when they are facing a rent increase. One practical move is to check if the real estate agent or landlord has sent you the notification of the rent increase on the right form. A text message or email is not enough.

If the correct form is not used, then the rent increase doesn't meet the legal requirements. 

Find out more on our website.

In our latest Facebook Q&A video we zero in on the hot topic of rent increases. Tenants Victoria lawyer Georga Wootton joins our Director of Community Engagement Farah Farouque to offer tips for dealing with rent increases. Watch the video below. 

Senate poverty inquiry 

We've told the Senates Community Affairs References Committee inquiry into the extent and nature of poverty in Australia that people who rent their homes are vastly overrepresented among those living below the poverty line. 

Read our submission to the Senate poverty inquiry.

Rooming house reform

In our submission in response to the Victorian Government’s draft changes to the Residential Tenancies (Rooming House Standards) Regulations we said the updates were welcome but did not go far enough.

‘We hear of residents who feel they live “without hope”, are “forgotten’ and who are “just existing” in rooming houses,’ the submission says. Residents regularly report ‘the disrepair of many, particularly private, rooming houses, which despite their non-compliance with minimum standards, exist in this state for many years. The often unsafe, even hazardous, conditions of these rooming houses directly and indirectly affect the physical safety and mental health of residents.’

Read our submission on rooming houses.

Work with us

Join us and make a difference for tenants. We’re looking for skilled professionals for 3 key roles.

• The Director Innovation and Client Services (maternity leave replacement) will develop and implement a suite of projects to manage high demand from renters for our services.
• The Senior Litigation Lawyer will lead strategies including advocacy, litigation and casework to work towards a fairer housing system.
• The Project Lead – Rental Rights will lead an 18-month project, the Repair Hub, aiming to get more renters the information and support they need on repairs. 

Check them out on Ethical Jobs.