Victoria rent increase rules, explained
How often your rent can go up, the new 90-day notice period, and what to do if an increase is too early or too high.
Short version: in Victoria, rent can go up once every 12 months for most agreements, and your rental provider must give you at least 90 days' notice on the official Consumer Affairs Victoria form. There's no cap on the amount, but you can ask Consumer Affairs Victoria for a free rent assessment within 30 days.
1. The notice period is now 90 days
Since 25 November 2025, rental providers must give at least 90 days' written notice of a rent increase. Before that date it was 60 days, and many websites still show the old rule.
The notice must be on the Consumer Affairs Victoria form Notice of proposed rent increase to renter of rented premises. It must show:
- the amount of the increase and the date it starts
- the method used to calculate the increase, such as CPI, a rent index or a market comparison
- your right to ask Consumer Affairs Victoria for a rent assessment
Only one increase can be listed on each notice. It can be given in person, by post, or by email if you agreed to receive notices electronically.
2. How often rent can go up
| Your agreement | How often rent can increase |
|---|---|
| Periodic agreement that started on or after 19 June 2019 | Once every 12 months |
| Periodic agreement that started before 19 June 2019 | Once every 6 months |
| Fixed-term agreement | Only if it has a rent increase clause, and no more than once every 12 months |
The new rent can't start less than 12 months after your last rent increase took effect, or 6 months for older periodic agreements.
3. Fixed-term agreements
During a fixed term, rent can't be increased at all unless the agreement includes a rent increase clause. For agreements that started on or after 29 March 2021, the clause must state the amount of the increase or the method that will be used to work it out, and the rent can't be increased by more than that.
Before signing a lease, you can ask to remove a rent increase clause. If you both agree, cross it out and everyone should sign next to the change.
4. If the notice doesn't follow the rules
If the notice is too early, isn't on the official form, or is missing required details, the increase isn't valid and you don't have to pay it.
However, Tenants Victoria recommends paying the increase while you challenge it. If VCAT later decides the increase was valid, you could otherwise fall into rent arrears. If the notice turns out to be invalid, you can claim a refund of the extra rent you paid through Rental Dispute Resolution Victoria.
5. If the increase seems too high
Victoria doesn't set a maximum amount. If you think an increase is excessive:
- Ask Consumer Affairs Victoria for a free rent assessment within 30 days of receiving the notice. You can use the section on the notice itself or apply online.
- If the assessment finds the increase is excessive and your rental provider won't lower it, apply to Rental Dispute Resolution Victoria (RDRV) within 30 days of receiving the assessment report. RDRV is free and tries to resolve the dispute without a hearing.
- If it isn't resolved, the case can go to a VCAT hearing for a decision.
Since 31 March 2026, CPI is one of the factors used to decide whether an increase is excessive. Others include rents for similar properties, the property's condition, facilities and services, improvements you've made, recent increases, and the rental provider's compliance with their obligations. There's no set formula for how much weight CPI gets.
Common questions
My agent sent the increase by email without a form. Is that valid?
No. A rent increase must be given on the Consumer Affairs Victoria notice form. An email can deliver the form if you agreed to receive notices electronically, but a plain email or text isn't a valid notice.
I got 60 days' notice. Is that enough?
Not for a notice given on or after 25 November 2025. The minimum is now 90 days. Ask your agent for a corrected notice with a later start date.
Can my rent go up when I sign a new lease?
The 12-month limit runs from your last rent increase, so a new agreement doesn't allow an earlier increase. Check the date your current rent started.
Do these rules apply to rooming houses and social housing?
Rooming houses, caravan parks and social housing have some different rules. Contact Consumer Affairs Victoria on 1300 55 81 81 or Tenants Victoria on 03 9416 2577 if you're unsure.
Check your own notice: the Victoria rent increase checker works out the earliest legal start date and your rent assessment deadline, and writes a message for your agent.