Consumer Affairs Victoria
Consumer Affairs Victoria is the state government agency responsible for residential tenancy regulation in Victoria. It administers the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 (Victoria), publishes mandatory rental forms, and oversees the Residential Tenancies Bond Authority that holds Victorian bonds in trust.
Consumer Affairs Victoria sits within the Victorian Department of Government Services and is the regulator for residential rental providers (landlords), renters (tenants), and rental agents in Victoria. It administers the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 (Victoria) and the substantial 2021 reforms, including the rental minimum standards, the 12-month rent-increase frequency cap, pet request rules, modification request rules, and the prescribed 90-day rent-increase notice.
Bonds are held by the Residential Tenancies Bond Authority (RTBA), a separate trust-account body that Consumer Affairs Victoria oversees. Renters lodge and rental providers reclaim bond through the RTBA, not through Consumer Affairs Victoria directly. Disputes — including bond, rent, repairs, breach of duty notices, and termination — are heard by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT). Consumer Affairs Victoria publishes the prescribed forms (Notice to Vacate, Notice for Breach of Duty, Rent Increase notice) and operates a dispute-resolution information service.
Records a Victorian rental provider should keep alongside Consumer Affairs Victoria’s published checklists: tenancy agreement (rental providers may use the standard form or a written agreement that meets Act requirements), bond lodgement and refund records through the RTBA, condition report at start and end of tenancy, 90-day written notice for any rent increase, pet request decisions and reasons, modification request decisions, and routine inspection notices issued at least 7 days in advance.
Primary source
Consumer Affairs Victoria →Last reviewed 21 May 2026. Rates, thresholds, and deadlines change — always verify against the primary source before making decisions.
Related terms
- New South Wales Fair Trading Australia
- Residential Tenancies Authority (Queensland) Australia
- Consumer and Business Services (South Australia) Australia
- Consumer Protection (Western Australia) Australia
- Consumer, Building and Occupational Services (Tasmania) Australia
- Access Canberra (Australian Capital Territory) Australia
- Consumer Affairs Northern Territory Australia
- Land tax (Victoria) Australia
- Negative gearing Australia
- Capital gains tax discount (Australia) Australia
Running rentals in Australia?
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