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Commissioner for Residential Tenancies - logo
  • The Commissioner 

    The Commissioner

    • Meet the Commissioner

      Meet the Commissioner

      Learn about the Commissioner's experience in the housing sector.

    • Strategic plan

      Strategic plan

      Sets out the Commissioner's vision, mission and approach.

    • Engaging with stakeholders

      Engaging with stakeholders

      The Commissioner and her team consult widely with renters, advocates, and other stakeholders across the rental sector to identify and act on systemic issues.

  • The rental sector 

    The rental sector

    • News and updates

      News and updates

      Get the latest updates including media articles, consultation opportunities, opinion pieces and other news.

    • Key issues

      Key issues

      Lists the key issues raised with the Commissioner during consultations.

    • Renting laws in Victoria

      Renting laws in Victoria

      Defines the main legislation and regulations for the rental sector in Victoria.

    • Where to get help

      Where to get help

      The Commissioner cannot provide renting advice for individuals. Select below the dropdown item best suits your renting problem or situation.

    • Changes to renting laws

      Changes to renting laws

      Explains changes to renting laws and terminology, due to the passing of the Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2018.

    • Research

      Research

      See the latest research about the rental sector in Victoria and Australia.

    • New video guide for renters going to VCAT welcomed

      New video guide for renters going to VCAT welcomed

      The Commissioner for Residential Tenancies, Dr. Heather Holst, welcomes Tenants Victoria's new video, 'Going to VCAT'.

  • Rental reform 

    Rental reform

    • Strengthening renters' rights

      Strengthening renters' rights

      As Commissioner I expose market practices and regulatory gaps that erode the rights of renters and progress opportunities to strengthen renters’ rights.

    • Renters understand their rights

      Renters understand their rights

      As Commissioner I pursue opportunities to increase renters' knowledge and understanding of their rights.

    • Renters exercising their rights

      Renters exercising their rights

      As Commissioner I support improved dispute resolution processes and pursue opportunities to better enable renters to exercise their rights.

    • The Aboriginal Private Rental Access Project

      The Aboriginal Private Rental Access Project

      The Aboriginal Private Rental Access Project (APRAP) seeks to address systemic problems and other access barriers Aboriginal people encounter in accessing private rental. The Project report and recommendations were delivered in August 2022.

    • Residential Parks Project

      Residential Parks Project

      The Commissioner is currently gathering information about conditions in residential parks in Victoria to better inform any future reforms or regulatory changes by Victorian Government.

  • Contact us

The Commissioner for Residential Tenancies provides independent advice to the Victorian Government to help make renting fairer 

What the Commissioner does

 

Tell your story to help the Commissioner expose poor renting practices and gaps in Victorian tenancy law so she can advocate to Government to strengthen renters' rights. 

Tell us your story (External link)

If you need help with a specific renting problem there are services in the community that can help you. Here's who to contact.

Get help

The Commissioner is working towards the following outcomes:

Strengthening renters' rights
strengthen renters rights

Strengthening renters' rights

As Commissioner I expose market practices and regulatory gaps that erode the rights of renters and progress opportunities to strengthen renters’ rights.
Renters understand their rights
renters know understand rights

Renters understand their rights

As Commissioner I pursue opportunities to increase renters' knowledge and understanding of their rights.
Renters exercising their rights
renters exercise use their rights

Renters exercising their rights

As Commissioner I support improved dispute resolution processes and pursue opportunities to better enable renters to exercise their rights.

Latest news

See all news
Renting in Victoria: 2024 Snapshot
24 April 2025

Renting in Victoria: 2024 Snapshot

Find out more about the rental sector in Victoria.
Social Housing Regulation Review
10 January 2025

Social Housing Regulation Review

The Commissioner is pleased that the Social Housing Regulation Review final report and a response by the Victorian government has now been published.
New video guide for renters going to VCAT welcomed
12 December 2024

New video guide for renters going to VCAT welcomed

The Commissioner for Residential Tenancies, Dr. Heather Holst, welcomes Tenants Victoria's new video, 'Going to VCAT'.

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander flagsThe Commissioner acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Custodians of the land and acknowledges and pays respect to their Elders, past and present.

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Reviewed 26/02/2024 © 2025 State of Victoria, Australia
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