Privacy while renting
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This information is a guide and should not be used as a substitute for professional legal advice.
Rental Dispute Resolution Victoria (RDRV) now handles some rental disputes instead of VCAT. See our overview on going to RDRV.
We are currently updating our website to include RDRV and changes to rental laws that started on 25 November 2025. See our overview of these changes.
Summary
Get help and other resources
If you need support with lease transfers or subletting, help is available.
Tenants Victoria services
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Renter Support Line
For all Victorian renters.
Other organisations
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Anika Legal
For Victorian renters who cannot afford a private lawyer.
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Victoria Legal Aid
For all Victorians.
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Federation of Community Legal Centres
For all Victorians.
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Tenancy Assistance and Advocacy Program (TAAP)
For Victorian renters in private rentals, rooming houses and caravan parks who are in financial hardship or affected by family violence.
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Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT)
For all Victorians.
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Consumer Affairs Victoria
For all Victorians.
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Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria
For all Victorian renters
There are other resources to assist you with lease transfers and subletting.
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Lease transfer infographic
We have created an infographic to visually show you the process of transferring your lease to a new renter.
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Residential Tenancies Bond Authority Renter’s Guide
The Residential Tenancies Bond Authority has an online Renter’s Guide, which is a video that helps renters to understand the bond process.
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Consumer Affairs Victoria website
The Consumer Affairs Victoria website has useful information on lease transfers and subletting.
The Residential Tenancies Act 1997 is Victoria’s main law for renting. It describes the rights and duties of renters and landlords in numbered sections.
The sections in this list relate to lease transfers (also called assignments) and subletting in private rentals. Click on a link to see more about the section.
- Section 81 – Assignment and subletting by a renter
- Section 82 – Applying to VCAT for consent
- Section 84 – Rental provider cannot ask for fee for giving consent
- Section 91G – Termination where premises are sub-let
- Section 91R – New rental agreement created where head rental agreement terminated
- Section 91S – Application to Tribunal for creation of residential rental agreement
- Section 91ZV – Notice to vacate for assigning/subletting without consent
- Section 210AA – Apply to VCAT for compensation for discrimination
- Section 425 – Transferring the bond with the RTBA
- Section 452 – General Applications to VCAT
The Residential Tenancies Regulations 2021 provide more detail and definitions and specify updates to the Act.
- Schedule 2 Form 3 Regulation 14 lists the attributes that a landlord or agent cannot discriminate against when deciding whether to agree to a lease transfer or subletting arrangement
The Australian Consumer Law and Fair Trading Act 2012 may also applies to licensees who wish to resolve a dispute.
