Rental Dispute Resolution Victoria (RDRV)

You can apply to RDRV online, or you can submit your application by email, by post or in person at an RDRV office.

The application requires your details and some basic information about what happened. You don’t need to submit all your documents and evidence with your application. You will be asked for these things as they are needed.

A resolution coordinator will review your application and contact you to discuss your options.

If you have any questions about applying or need help with your application, you can contact RDRV on 1300 017 378 or email cases@courts.vic.gov.au.

If you want advice before applying, see the information on this page about getting help.

Submit your application online

You can submit your application online through the myRDRV portal.

You need to register and create a portal account for yourself to submit your application. After you have submitted it, you will receive a confirmation email with a PDF of the application attached and your RDRV case number. Allow 30 minutes for this email to come through.

You can then use your portal account to keep track of the status of your application and to upload any documents or evidence requested during the RDRV process.

If your landlord (officially called the rental provider) or their agent has their own myRDRV account, they will be able to link to your application and access any non-confidential documents or evidence you upload to it. You will be able to access any non-confidential documents or evidence they upload. If you upload confidential documents, such as those related to fees, support service requests or medical information, your landlord or their agent should not be able to see them. If you are concerned about uploading confidential documents, speak to the resolution coordinator.

If you have technical difficulties using myRDRV, you can contact RDRV technical support at RDRVsupport@courts.vic.gov.au or call 1300 017 378.

Submit your application by email, by post or in person

You can ask RDRV to email you a printable application form or to post you a paper application form. You can also go to an RDRV office and ask for an application form over the counter.

To request an application form to be emailed or posted to you, call RDRV on 1300 017 378 or email cases@courts.vic.gov.au. If you want to collect the application form in person, the RDRV website has the RDRV contact details and addresses.

Once you have completed the form, you can:

• Email a scanned copy to: cases@courts.vic.gov.au
• Post a paper copy to: The Principal Registrar, RDRV, GPO Box 5408 Melbourne VIC 3001
• Hand a paper copy over the counter at an RDRV office. Write down the date, time and name of the person you handed it to

Requesting support when you apply

When you apply to RDRV, you can request specialist support and assistance, including:

• Interpreters
• Disability support
• Family violence support
• Koori support

The RDRV website has more about specialist support.

You can also request support at any time after you have applied for RDRV.

Everyone in the dispute needs to have a copy of the same documents and information, including a copy of the application. You may need to prove later that you shared your application and documents with your landlord (officially called the rental provider).

If you applied online using myRDRV, you can forward the confirmation email you received to your landlord or their agent. It will have a PDF of your application attached.

If your landlord or their agent has a myRDRV account

They will be able to link to your application in myRDRV. They will also be able to access all non-confidential documents you upload to the application in myRDRV.

If your landlord or their agent does not use myRDRV

As well as providing them with a copy of your application, you will need to give them copies of all non-confidential documents attached to your application. You can ask the resolution coordinator about the best way to do this.

After you have applied to RDRV, a resolution coordinator will contact you to discuss your case and guide you through your options and next steps.

They should contact you:

• Within 1 business day of receiving your application if it is about urgent repairs
• Within 2 business days if it is about non-urgent repairs, your bond, compensation or a rent increase

If they have difficulty getting in touch with you, they will keep trying for 7 days.

The resolution coordinator will ask you more about the dispute, including any efforts that have been made to resolve it. They will give you information about your rights and responsibilities under Victoria’s rental laws, and may refer you to other websites or services for further information and advice.

After speaking with you, the resolution coordinator will let you know what happens next. This may be that they contact your landlord (officially called the rental provider) or their agent to understand their side of the dispute.

If the resolution coordinator decides that the dispute should progress through RDRV, they will explain the process, timeframes, and what is expected of you. They will also confirm whether you need any specialist support services. The RDRV website has more about specialist support.

The resolution coordinator will also let you know if you need to provide further documents or evidence. If you have not yet given a copy of your application to your landlord, they will tell you how to do this.

Your landlord (officially called the rental provider) must give you, and any other renters involved in the dispute, a copy of their application to RDRV and any documents or evidence they are relying on.

If your landlord or their agent applied online using myRDRV, you can register and set up your own myRDRV account to view and download their application, documents and evidence.

A resolution coordinator will contact you to find out your perspective on the dispute. They may then invite you to participate in dispute resolution at RDRV.

If you choose to participate, the resolution coordinator will let you know the process, timeframes, and what is expected of you in participating. They will also ask whether you need any specialist support services. The RDRV website has more about specialist support.

If you wish, you can organise for someone to represent you at RDRV and speak on your behalf. Find out more on this page about participating in the dispute resolution process.

If you want advice before deciding whether to participate in RDRV, or need someone to represent you at RDRV, see the information on this page about getting help.

Participation in RDRV is voluntary – you can choose not to participate at any point. This means the matter will proceed to a formal hearing at VCAT.

The resolution coordinator will let you know if you need to provide any documents or evidence before or during the RDRV process. You can submit documents and evidence online or in other ways, such as by email, by post or in person.

Submitting documents and evidence online

If your landlord (officially called the rental provider) or their agent applied online using myRDRV, you can also use myRDRV to submit documents and evidence and keep track of the application.

You first need to register and create a myRDRV account for yourself. You can then link to the application and upload any documents or evidence requested during the RDRV process.

Your landlord or their agent will be able to view and download all non-confidential documents and evidence you upload, and you will be able to view and download all non-confidential documents and evidence they upload. If you upload confidential documents, such as those related to fees, support service requests or medical information, your landlord or their agent will not be able to see them. If you are concerned about uploading confidential documents, speak to the resolution coordinator.

If someone is representing you at RDRV, you won’t need to create a myRDRV account. But if you want to keep track of the case online, you can still create an account for yourself and link to the application.

If you have technical difficulties using myRDRV, you can contact RDRV technical support at RDRVsupport@courts.vic.gov.au or call 1300 017 378.

Because the resolution coordinator cannot give legal advice, it is important that you understand your legal rights before going into an RDRV discussion or mediation session.

It is also important that you prepare your information in advance. Written information reduces confusion and avoids lengthy explanations. It also helps you focus on what matters to you.

If there are multiple renters in the dispute, and you are participating on behalf of others, you should get their written authorisation to resolve the matter on their behalf.

If you want someone to represent you

You can organise a lawyer or advocate to represent you at RDRV. You can also attend while they speak on your behalf. It is generally best to attend, as your representative cannot give evidence on your behalf.

RDRV does not provide lawyers or advocates to represent you. You need to organise a representative yourself. Find out more on this page about getting help.

Once you have organised a representative, you need to confirm in writing with the resolution coordinator that you have given the lawyer or advocate authority to act on your behalf.

If you have already applied for RDRV through the myRDRV portal, your representative can create their own portal account and, with your consent, be added to your application as an ‘interested party’. If you have not yet applied for RDRV, your representative may be able to apply on your behalf through their own portal account. You should discuss this with your representative.

If someone is providing you with non-legal support at the sessions, such as emotional or practical support, you do not need to get permission or authorise this in advance with the resolution coordinator.

A facilitated discussion usually takes place by phone, videoconference or email.

The resolution coordinator asks you and your landlord (officially called the rental provider) to exchange claims, offers and options to resolve the dispute. This can be through speaking directly to each other, or through the resolution coordinator passing claims, offers and options back and forth between you.

If the resolution coordinator believes a more structured, face-to-face meeting might be the best option to resolve the dispute, they may invite you both to a formal mediation session, conducted either in person or by videoconference. This is voluntary and both parties must consent to it.

If a participant asks to see documentation or evidence during a facilitated discussion or a mediation session, the resolution coordinator may request the other party to provide it. See more on this page about providing evidence during dispute resolution.

Tips for participating in RDRV

If you are taking part in an RDRV discussion or mediation session, keep these tips in mind:

• Know your legal rights: This is your strongest tool for protecting your interests
• Remember the mediator is impartial: They will try to help you and your landlord reach an agreement, but they are not able to advise you, and it is not their job to determine whether an agreement is fair or the best option for you
• You don’t have to agree: You are not required to reach an agreement through RDRV – it is okay to let the matter proceed to VCAT. RDRV is a voluntary process for both renters and landlords
• Don’t feel pressured: Take your time to make decisions. You can say: ‘I need a moment to think’ or ‘Can we take 5 minutes?’
• Remember what matters most to you: Focus on your key goals
• Start by describing your ideal resolution: In the beginning, describe everything that you want from the process, even if you might be willing to accept something less
• Consider trades, not just concessions: For example: ‘If you agree to X, I’ll agree to Y.’
• Communicate calmly and clearly: Avoid aggression – clarity works better than conflict. Focus on resolving the issue, not personal feelings
• Clarify what has been said: Make sure you and others are clear about what is being said during the discussion by asking questions such as: ‘Can I check that I understand this correctly?’
• Clarify next steps: Ask what needs to be done before the next RDRV session. Decide whether you need this in writing, and whether you should request more time – this can be important to ensure you meet deadlines or get advice before the next session
• Consider the impact of delays: Understand how timeframes might affect your situation, for example, how a delay in getting your bond back might affect your finances
• If you reach an agreement, make it clear and in writing: Include specific details, such as dates, amounts payable and what happens if the agreement is not followed. See more on this page about what to do if you reach an agreement

The resolution coordinator will ask you to provide any documents or evidence as needed. These may include a copy of your lease, copies of communications with your landlord (officially called the rental provider) or their agent, your bond receipt, condition reports and photos and videos of the problem.

The more clearly organised your documents are, the easier and more efficient your negotiations will be, and the more likely the dispute will be resolved.

During the session, you should be given the opportunity to ask your landlord to provide evidence to prove their claims, and they should be able to ask you to do the same.

If you have a myRDRV account, you can upload documents and evidence to myRDRV. Once uploaded, they are immediately available to everyone linked to the application. However, confidential documents, such as those related to fees, support service requests and medical information, will not be visible to the other parties.

If you need guidance on how to share documents or evidence during the RDRV process, the resolution coordinator will be able to assist.

If the dispute is not resolved at RDRV and proceeds to VCAT, you may not need to provide your documents and evidence again. However, you may need to submit further documentation or evidence. Find out more on this page about going to a formal VCAT hearing.

If you are experiencing, or at risk of, family or personal violence, and the person using violence against you is named in the RDRV application, the application should be directed straight to a formal VCAT hearing. Facilitated discussion and mediation are not considered appropriate in family or personal violence circumstances.

If your RDRV matter involves family or personal violence, you should raise this with the resolution coordinator.

The VCAT family violence team can support you in this process. Find out more on the VCAT website about family violence support.

If you and your landlord (officially called the rental provider) reach an agreement, you can ask for it to be formalised in a VCAT consent order. This details the conditions you have agreed to and makes them enforceable by law.

The resolution coordinator will advise on whether you can request a consent order. VCAT can only make orders that are within its powers under Victoria’s rental laws, the Residential Tenancies Act 1997.

If you and your landlord agree to something that VCAT has no legal power to order, it cannot be included in a consent order. You will need to make a separate private settlement agreement to cover it. For example, VCAT cannot allow the landlord to not meet minimum standards, such as not fix your hot-water system, in exchange for less rent. If you and the landlord agree to do something outside VCAT’s powers, it would need to be recorded in a private settlement agreement and it may be difficult to enforce.

If VCAT makes a consent order, you will be able to view and download it from the myRDRV portal. If you are not using the portal, ask the resolution coordinator for it to be posted or emailed to you.

If you and your landlord (officially called the rental provider) resolve the dispute and decide to document what was agreed in a written private settlement agreement, make sure it:

• Is clearly worded
• Sets out specific actions and timeframes
• Can be enforced if needed

This page has more tips for drafting consent orders and private settlement agreements.

A private settlement agreement is a private contract, so it is usually enforceable by law. But if the landlord doesn’t follow the agreement, it is harder to take action than if you had a VCAT consent order.

You can ask the resolution coordinator to place a sealed copy of the private settlement agreement on file, with a contract term that allows it to be shared with VCAT or a court if the landlord does not comply with it.

If the landlord does not follow the agreement, you may also have the option to return to RDRV to renew your application, or to request that the matter goes immediately to a formal VCAT hearing.

Non-disclosure agreements

If your landlord wants to limit your ability to discuss the dispute with others, they may ask to include a ‘non-disclosure’ term in the private settlement agreement. A non-disclosure agreement (NDA) generally means you cannot talk to anyone about the issue and what was agreed, except when seeking legal advice or where the law requires disclosure.

This is more common in cases involving social housing or large accommodation providers, where the agreement could affect the landlord’s reputation or set an example that influences other renters.

You do not have to agree to a non-disclosure agreement.

If your landlord offers you a higher amount of compensation in exchange for you agreeing to a non-disclosure agreement, it is your choice whether to accept it.

Breaching a non-disclosure agreement can have serious consequences. If you’re unsure whether you will meet its terms, you should decline to agree to it, or seek legal advice. This page says where you can get help.

If the agreement includes you moving out, the landlord (officially called the rental provider) may ask you for an official ‘notice of intention to vacate’. If you give them the notice, make sure the agreement says that your ‘notice of intention to vacate’ is on the condition that they meet their obligations in the agreement.

For example, if the landlord agrees to pay you compensation, make sure the agreement says the money must be paid into your bank account and cleared before you move out.

If your ‘notice of intention to vacate’ is conditional, VCAT is unlikely to consider it valid or enforceable if the landlord does not meet their obligations.

We recommend you exercise caution before providing a ‘notice of intention to vacate’ as part of any settlement agreement. If you later change your mind or cannot find other accommodation, the landlord may use the notice to apply to VCAT to force you to move out.

If either you or your landlord (officially called the rental provider) were living interstate at the time of the RDRV application, you will need to make a private settlement agreement. VCAT cannot make orders where one party lives interstate.

If you want your agreement formalised in an enforceable order, or if you cannot resolve the dispute, you will need to go the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria. Find out more on our website about interstate disputes.

If you need advice, see the information on this page about getting help.

You can use these tips whether you are drafting an agreement for a VCAT consent order or for a private settlement agreement.

• Keep it clear and simple: Use plain English and avoid unnecessary legal jargon. Clearly include the names of the renter(s) and landlord (officially called the rental provider), the property address, the landlord’s address and the specific issues being resolved
• Be specific about obligations: Clearly set out exactly what each party has agreed to do. Avoid vague language and be precise about payments and actions to be taken. For example: ‘The renter agrees to pay $500 for the damaged carpet on or before 30 June 2025.’
• Include timeframes and deadlines: Set clear deadlines for when each action must be completed. Where possible, also state the consequences if deadlines are not met, such as the matter going to a formal VCAT hearing
• Include conditions where needed: For agreements involving repairs or compensation, use clear conditional terms. For example: ‘The rental provider must complete the repairs by 15 July 2025. If the repairs are not completed by 15 July 2025, the renter may give a notice of intention to vacate and the rental provider agrees not to pursue the renter for any lease-breaking costs.’
• Consider confidentiality where appropriate: In sensitive situations, such as those involving child protection or discrimination, you may consider including a confidentiality clause. Be cautious, as not all confidentiality clauses are enforceable in tenancy matters
• State when the agreement can be shown to VCAT or a court: If you are making a private settlement agreement, include a term that says it can be used at VCAT or in court if someone doesn’t follow it. This can help avoid having to start a new case or repeat the process
• Include the option to renew the application: If you are drafting an agreement for a VCAT consent order that says the landlord must do something other than pay you money, such as repairs, make sure it includes the option to renew the application if the landlord does not follow the order
• Confirm that the agreement is voluntary: State that both parties are entering into the agreement freely and voluntarily. Avoid agreeing to anything under pressure
• Make sure you are authorised: If you live in a share house or are making an agreement on behalf of others who are not present, you should have their written permission to sign for them. Without this, the agreement might only be legally binding for the people who actually signed it
• Ensure the agreement is signed and dated: All parties should sign and date the agreement. Electronic signatures are acceptable, provided their authenticity is confirmed
• Seek legal advice: Drafting an agreement can sometimes be difficult. If you are unsure if the proposed agreement upholds your legal rights, it is best to get advice. This page has information on getting help

If you and the landlord (officially called the rental provider) resolve most of your issues through the RDRV process, you can make a joint statement about what you agree on and take the remaining issues to VCAT for a decision.

VCAT can then decide the unresolved issues and make a final order. If you share with VCAT your joint statement about what you agree on, it can help make the hearing more efficient and also be included in the legally binding order.

Alternatively, if you and the landlord agree to resolve some issues privately, you can make a private settlement agreement through RDRV and take only the remaining issues to VCAT. However, this means the details of your private settlement agreement will not be included in the VCAT order and may be harder to enforce if someone doesn’t do what they agreed to do.

When there is a dispute between a renter and a landlord (officially called a rental provider), VCAT can make the final decision. It is not a court but its decision must be followed.

An RDRV dispute may go to a formal VCAT hearing if:

• You and your landlord cannot resolve all the issues through the RDRV process
• Either you or your landlord decide to stop the RDRV process at any point and have the matter decided by VCAT
• The respondent (the person in the dispute who did not apply to RDRV) chooses not to participate in RDRV
• The resolution coordinator decides that the dispute should go straight to a VCAT hearing instead of going through RDRV

If your dispute proceeds to VCAT, you do not need to make a separate application to VCAT. However, the person who applied to RDRV will need to pay the VCAT application fee, unless they are eligible for a waiver. If the dispute is about a bond lodged with the Residential Tenancies Bond Authority (RTBA), the VCAT application fee is not applicable.

VCAT will let you know the time, date and location of the hearing. It may take place in person, by phone (teleconference) or by videoconference.

The VCAT hearing will usually be held:

• Within 2 business days of RDRV receiving the application, if it is about urgent repairs
• Within 7 days of RDRV receiving the application, if it is about non-urgent repairs
• Within 4 weeks of RDRV receiving the application, if it is about your bond, compensation or a rent increase

The resolution coordinator will help you get yourself organised for the VCAT hearing and understand what to expect. No evidence, information or discussion from the RDRV process can be used in the VCAT hearing, unless all parties agree to this in writing.

You and the landlord can continue trying to reach an agreement between yourselves before the hearing. If you reach an agreement, you can:

• Ask for it to be formalised in a VCAT consent order. You can request this through the resolution coordinator. You will not need to go to a VCAT hearing. See more on this page about VCAT consent orders
• Make a private settlement agreement with the landlord and, if both parties consent, ask the resolution coordinator to withdraw the VCAT application. See more on this page about private settlement agreements

Find out more about VCAT hearings on our page about dealing with VCAT.

If you need legal advice or representation at VCAT, this page says where you can get help.

If your landlord (officially called the rental provider) does not follow a VCAT consent order, your options depend on what the consent order says they must do.

If your landlord must pay you money

If the consent order says your landlord must pay you money, and they don’t pay you by the due date, you can register the consent order with the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria to recover the debt. You don’t need to go back to VCAT. The Magistrates’ Court of Victoria website has more information about enforcing a civil debt through court.

If your landlord must do something else (like repairs)

If the consent order says your landlord must do something other than pay you money, and they don’t do it by the due date, you can go back to VCAT, but only if the consent order specifically allows it. This is called renewing the application.

You should make sure the consent order includes the option to renew the application, especially if you want the landlord to do something, such as repairs. If the consent order does not allow for the application to be renewed, you may be able to apply to the Supreme Court.

If your landlord (officially called the rental provider) does not follow a private settlement agreement, your options depend on what you both agreed to, and whether either of you live interstate.

If your landlord agreed to pay you money

If your landlord does not pay you by the agreed date, you can apply to VCAT to turn the private settlement agreement into a formal consent order. You should make sure the private settlement agreement includes a term that says it can be used at VCAT or in court if it is not followed.

If VCAT converts your private settlement agreement into a consent order, you can register it with the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria and recover the debt. The Magistrates’ Court of Victoria website has more information about enforcing a civil debt through court.

If VCAT cannot make a consent order, you should seek advice on how to enforce your contract. This page says where you can get help.

If your landlord agreed to do something else (like repairs)

If your landlord does not do something they said they would do, you can apply to VCAT for the dispute to be decided at a formal hearing. VCAT can treat the private settlement agreement as evidence of what was promised. You should make sure the private settlement agreement includes a term that says it can be used at VCAT or in court if it is not followed.

Once VCAT makes a formal consent order based on the agreement, you can enforce it like any other VCAT order. The VCAT website has information on how to enforce an order.

If you or your landlord live interstate

If you or your landlord live interstate, and your landlord does not follow through on something they said they would do, you will need to take the matter to the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria instead of VCAT. Find out more on our website about interstate disputes.