Document library
Our document library lists all the example forms and template letters that are available on our website for renters.
Bonds
Letter about lodging your bond with RTBA
Use this letter if your landlord (officially called the rental provider) or agent has not lodged your bond with the Residential Tenancies Bond Authority (RTBA) within 10 days of receiving it, and to let them know you will take further action if they do not comply with the law. To learn more about lodging your bond, visit our page on bonds.
Claiming compensation
Claim examples for a single issue
Use these examples for claiming compensation from your landlord or agent for a single issue, such as a broken heater. To learn more, see our page on claiming compensation.
Claim examples for multiple issues
Use these examples and templates for claiming compensation from your landlord or agent for multiple issues.
Compensation claim template
Use our claim template to create your own table to record the details of a compensation claim.
Example of reason for notice for compensation
Use this example to fill in section 4 ‘reason for notice’ in the ‘notice of breach of duty’ when your landlord or agent breaches the law relating to repairs and quiet enjoyment.
Example of claim details for compensation
Use this example to fill in claim details for compensation for breaches relating to repairs and quiet enjoyment in Part 9 of the VCAT General Application to the Residential Tenancies List form.
Letter for compensation for breach of duty – still living at the property
Use this letter if you are listed as a renter on the lease and still living at the rental property to seek compensation from your landlord or agent for failure to maintain the property and/or quiet enjoyment.
Letter for compensation for breach of duty – not living at the property
Use this letter if you were listed as a renter on the lease and have moved out of the rental property to seek compensation from your landlord or agent for failure to maintain the property and/or quiet enjoyment.
Entry by landlord or agent
Letter to stop illegal entry by the landlord or agent
Use this letter if your landlord or agent has been illegally entering, attending or stopping past your rented property. To learn more, see our page on privacy while renting.
Ending or breaking your lease
Letter about notice of intention to break the lease
Use this letter to give your landlord notice of intention to break the lease (officially called the rental agreement). Learn more on our page about ending or breaking your lease.
Letter about terminating lease by consent before you live in the rental property
Use this letter to seek immediate termination of the lease from your landlord or agent due to the poor state of the rental property before you move in.
Template for written submissions to VCAT for termination and creation of tenancy application – family violence provisions
Use this template you are representing or advocating for a renter or occupant who has applied to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) under section 91V of the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 to terminate the existing residential lease and create a new one in their name due to being subjected to family violence by another renter listed on the agreement.
Template for written submissions to VCAT for termination application – family violence provisions
Use this template if you are representing or advocating for a renter who has applied to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) under section 91V of the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 to terminate the existing residential lease due to being subjected to family violence by another renter listed on the agreement.
Leases
Letter about removing invalid terms from a lease
Use this letter if your landlord or agent has included prohibited or additional terms in your lease.
Modifications
Letter asking for consent for modifications
Use this letter to ask for consent from your landlord or agent for modifications to your rental property. To learn more, see our page on modifications.
Notice of breaches of duty
Example for notice of breach of duty
Use this example to fill in section 4 ‘reason for notice’ of the ‘notice of breach of duty’ when your landlord or agent fails to carry out their duties under the law. This example is for claiming compensation for breaches relating to repairs and quiet enjoyment. To learn more, visit our page on landlord breaches and other notices.
Notices to vacate and eviction
Letter about a notice to vacate that is not legally valid
Use this letter to tell the landlord or agent about a notice to vacate that is not valid under the law. To learn more, see our page on notices to vacate and eviction.
Overdue rent
Template for written submissions to VCAT for a possession order application for rent arrears
Use this template if you are representing or advocating for a renter whose landlord has applied to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) under section 91ZM of the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 for a possession order based on rent arrears. This application can be used to dismiss or postpone the landlord’s application for a possession order, or to assist with a payment plan. To learn more about rent arrears, visit our page on overdue rent.
Rental databases
Letter to object to listing on database due to family or personal violence
Use this letter to object if you have been notified by your landlord or agent that your personal details have been listed on a tenant (renter) database (sometimes known as a ‘blacklist’), and the reason for the listing relates to family or personal violence you experienced. To learn more, see our page on tenant databases or ‘blacklists’.
Rental apps
Letter to challenge use of a rental app
Use this letter to challenge a request or requirement by your landlord or agent to use a rental app to pay your rent.
Repairs and maintenance
Example for VCAT application for urgent mould repairs
Use this example form to fill in claim details of a VCAT application for urgent mould repairs (see page 6 of the document). To learn more, see our page on repairs and maintenance.
Letter asking for urgent repairs to meet minimum standards
Use this letter to ask your landlord or agent to make urgent repairs to meet minimum standards for your rental property.
Restraining orders
Example for VCAT application for restraining order involving illegal eviction
Example of claim details for a VCAT application for an urgent restraining order over threats of illegal eviction by a landlord or agent. To learn more, visit our page on restraining orders.
Example for VCAT application for restraining order involving unlawful entry
Example extract from a VCAT application form for a restraining order involving unlawful entry by a landlord or agent.
Utility charges
Letter about utility charges if a rental property is not separately metered
Use this letter to seek reimbursement if you are listed as a renter on the lease (officially called the rental agreement), have been paying for utilities that are not separately metered, and seek reimbursement for what you have paid. To learn more, see our page on utility charges.
Victorian tenancy law cases
Case Catalogue – Victorian Tenancy Law Cases
This document summarises key Victorian tenancy law cases heard by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Appeals Tribunal (VCAT) or the Victorian Supreme Court. These cases consider the interpretation and application of the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 in relation to rent increases, rent arrears, and repairs and minimum standards. Tenancy advocates and lawyers need to know about these cases to advise and represent renters.