This is general guidance only, not legal advice. Tenancy law changes over time and your situation may differ. Always confirm current rules at consumer.vic.gov.au or speak to a qualified tenancy service before relying on this page.
If you rent in Victoria and you have just received a notice of a rent increase, there are strict rules about how often that can happen, how much notice your rental provider has to give you, and what recourse you have if the increase looks unreasonable. A lot of the confusion out there comes from outdated information, particularly around the notice period, which changed in late 2025.
This guide walks through how often rent can legally go up in Victoria, exactly what a valid rent increase notice has to include, and the three-step process for challenging an increase you believe is too high. It draws directly on the current rules published by Consumer Affairs Victoria and Tenants Victoria.
How often can rent increase in Victoria
How often your rent can legally increase depends on when your tenancy agreement started and whether you are in a fixed-term or periodic (month-to-month) arrangement.
Agreements started on or after 19 June 2019
For both fixed-term and periodic agreements that began on or after 19 June 2019, rent can increase no more than once every 12 months. This is the rule that applies to the vast majority of current Victorian tenancies.
Periodic agreements started before 19 June 2019
If your periodic agreement started before 19 June 2019 and has been running continuously since, the older rule still applies: rent can increase no more than once every 6 months.
During a fixed-term agreement
Rent cannot increase at all during a fixed term unless the lease explicitly includes a rent increase clause that specifies the amount of the increase or the method used to calculate it. A rental provider cannot simply decide partway through a fixed-term lease that rent is going up. If there is no such clause in your agreement, your rent is locked for the length of the fixed term.
If your rental provider tries to increase your rent more often than these rules allow, or during a fixed term with no rent increase clause, the increase is not valid and you are not obliged to pay it.
Minimum notice period
Your rental provider must give you at least 90 days written notice before a rent increase takes effect. This applies regardless of whether you are on a fixed-term or periodic agreement.
This notice period increased from 60 days to 90 days, effective 25 November 2025. If you have seen older guidance, including older versions of this kind of article, quoting 60 days, it is out of date. Always check the date on the notice itself against the current 90-day rule.
What a valid notice must include
A rent increase notice is not just a letter or an email saying rent is going up. To be valid, it has to meet several specific requirements:
- It must be given on the official Consumer Affairs Victoria Notice of Proposed Rent Increase form. A rental provider cannot use a different letter or form.
- It must specify the exact dollar amount of the new rent.
- It must specify the calculation method used to reach that figure, if one applies.
- It must specify the commencement date, which must be at least 90 days after the notice is given.
- Only one increase can be proposed per notice. A rental provider cannot bundle multiple future increases into a single notice.
If a notice is missing any of these elements, is not on the correct form, or does not give the full 90 days, it is not a valid rent increase and you can raise that directly with your rental provider or with Consumer Affairs Victoria.
What to do if you think an increase is too high
Even a validly issued notice can still be excessive. Victoria has a free, structured process for challenging a rent increase you believe is unreasonable, and it does not require a lawyer.
Step 1: Request a rent assessment from Consumer Affairs Victoria
You can apply in writing to Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) for a free rent assessment if you believe the proposed increase is higher than the market range. You need to apply within 30 days of receiving the notice, so do not sit on it. CAV evaluates the increase against the Consumer Price Index (CPI) - All Groups Melbourne, and compares your proposed rent against similar properties in the area.
From 31 March 2026, Tenants Victoria has published a CPI calculator on its website to help renters check whether a proposed increase exceeds the relevant quarterly CPI figure before they even apply for a CAV assessment. It only applies to notices dated on or after 31 March 2026, so check the date on your own notice before relying on the calculator's result.
Step 2: Apply to Rental Dispute Resolution Victoria
If you are not satisfied with the outcome of the CAV assessment, you can apply to Rental Dispute Resolution Victoria (RDRV), a free mediation service, within 30 days of receiving the CAV assessment report. RDRV is the first formal dispute resolution step and sits before VCAT. According to Tenants Victoria, RDRV hearings about rent increases are usually held within about 4 weeks of applying.
Step 3: VCAT
If RDRV does not resolve the dispute, either party can take the matter to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) for a binding decision. VCAT can modify the rental agreement, including the rent amount, as part of its ruling. There is no confirmed official figure for how long VCAT hearings on rent increases typically take, so it is worth asking VCAT directly about current wait times when you apply.
A valid rent increase must be on the official CAV form. If it is missing the amount, calculation method, or commencement date, it is not valid and you can push back.
You have 30 days to request a CAV assessment after receiving the notice, and another 30 days to escalate to RDRV after the CAV report. Both deadlines matter and are easy to miss.
Frequently asked questions
Can my rent increase during a fixed-term lease?
Only if the lease itself contains a rent increase clause specifying the amount or the calculation method. Without that clause, rent is fixed for the length of the term, no matter what the rental market is doing around you.
What happens if my rental provider does not give 90 days notice?
The notice is not valid. A rental provider cannot enforce a rent increase that does not meet the minimum notice period, is not on the correct CAV form, or is missing required details such as the calculation method or commencement date.
Is there a legislated cap on how much rent can increase?
No. There is no fixed percentage cap on a single rent increase in Victoria. Instead, the increase has to be reasonable, and if you dispute it, CAV assesses it against the CPI - All Groups Melbourne and comparable rents in the area rather than against a hard legal limit.
Does moving to a new bond amount happen automatically with a rent increase?
No. A rent increase and a bond amount are separate things. Your bond was set when you signed your agreement and does not automatically change just because your rent has gone up. For more detail on how bonds work in Victoria, see our bond return checklist.
Understanding your rent increase notice is only half the picture. If your rental provider is also trying to end your tenancy, or if you are approaching the end of a fixed term, it helps to know the separate rules that apply there. See our guide to landlord notice periods in Victoria for a full breakdown of what notice is required for each situation. And if you are applying for a new rental altogether, our rental cover letter guide covers what to include to stand out.
We're building a free tool that reads your lease for you.
Renter analyses your lease and rental documents in plain English, so you know exactly what you have agreed to and what your rights are. Join the waitlist at renterapp.com.au to be first to try it when we launch.
Join the waitlist at renterapp.com.au