Rent Increase Notice Victoria
Victoria requires 90 days written notice on the Consumer Affairs Victoria prescribed form, and the notice must state how the new rent was calculated.
VIC rent-increase rules at a glance
- Minimum notice
- 90 days
- Frequency cap
- Once per 12 months
- Prescribed form
- Mandatory: Notice of proposed rent increase (Consumer Affairs Victoria)
- Dispute body
- Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT)
Statutory source: Residential Tenancies Act 1997 (Vic), s.44
Vestly auto-fills tenant + lease + RTA rules. Own it for $99 once, or a 7-day free trial. Cancel anytime, and we email you before billing.
How VIC rent increases work
Victorian rent increase rules are stricter than most other states. The Residential Tenancies Act 1997 (Vic) was overhauled in 2021, lifting the minimum notice from 60 to 90 days and mandating the CAV prescribed form. Failing to use the form or omitting the method of calculation makes the increase legally challengeable at VCAT.
What the notice MUST include
- The CAV prescribed form must be used (notice is invalid without it)
- Current rent and proposed new rent
- Effective date of the increase (at least 90 days from service)
- The METHOD used to calculate the new rent (RTA s.44(4) - non-negotiable)
- Landlord or agent name and signature
VIC-specific quirks
Victoria requires 90 days notice (not 60 like most other states) and the CAV prescribed form is MANDATORY - a generic letter is legally ineffective and the increase can be challenged. The notice MUST state the method used to calculate the new rent (e.g. "5% based on CPI", "market rent per comparable rentals").
Fixed-term vs periodic agreements
During a fixed-term agreement, rent can only be increased if the agreement allows it and the increase method is stated. Standard periodic agreements follow the 90-day notice rule.
Common landlord mistakes in VIC
- Using a generic letter instead of the CAV prescribed form (the increase is invalid)
- Omitting the calculation method - the notice MUST state how the new rent was determined
- Serving only 60 days notice (VIC requires 90)
- Increasing more than once in a 12-month period
Common questions
Is the CAV form really mandatory in Victoria?
Yes. RTA s.44 requires the CAV prescribed form. A generic letter does not satisfy the section and the tenant can challenge the increase at VCAT successfully.
How much notice is required in Victoria?
A minimum 90 days (lifted from 60 in the 2021 reforms). Most other states require only 60. Plan your rent review cycles accordingly.
What "method of calculation" must I state?
A clear explanation of how the new rent was determined: "5% based on CPI", "$30/week based on rental valuations of three comparable properties at addresses X, Y, Z", or similar. VCAT scrutinises this.
Can VCAT block an unreasonable increase?
Yes. Tenants can apply to VCAT within 30 days of the notice. VCAT applies a "reasonableness" test that considers market rent, property condition, and the proposed method of calculation.
Do I need to give 90 days notice if my fixed-term ends?
If the fixed term contains a rent-review clause, follow that. If not, you cannot increase rent during the fixed term - increases only apply during periodic agreements (with 90 days notice).
When can I next increase rent in Victoria?
12 months after the LAST effective date. The cap is per-tenancy. Plan one rent review cycle per year.
General information only. This page summarises VIC rent increase rules at the date of last review. It is not legal advice. For a state-compliant notice that auto-fills your tenant, lease, and VIC RTA rules, use Vestly's notice generator. For complex disputes, contact Consumer Affairs Victoria or a tenancy lawyer.
Verified May 2026. Source: Consumer Affairs Victoria.
Generate a compliant VIC notice in 60 seconds
Vestly's rent increase tool auto-fills your tenant, lease, and the correct VIC RTA rules. Validates notice period, frequency cap, and the mandatory prescribed form. Own it for $99 once, or start a 7-day free trial.
Start free trial7-day free trial, cancel anytime. We email you before billing.