Rental Dispute Resolution Victoria (RDRV), launching in June 2025, is a new government initiative aimed at streamlining the handling of rental disputes across the state. Developed to ease pressure on the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT), RDRV offers a new and free service that provides early intervention and structured resolution processes for renters.
If you’re a renter and you have a dispute with your landlord that you can’t resolve about one of these issues, you go to RDRV:
- Repairs and maintenance
- Compensation
- Bonds
- Rent increases
From 23 June, applications on these issues to VCAT will be redirected to RDRV, but over time, RDRV will also deal with other issues.
How will it work?
Resolution coordinators will oversee each case and be the key contact for both the renter and landlord, from start to finish. They will focus on alternative dispute resolution approaches, including facilitated discussions and mediations, rather than automatically progressing a case to a hearing.
The resolution coordinator might provide information or bring together the renter and rental provider to talk through the issues, especially if there has been a break down in trust or communication. They are independent and can liaise between the parties to enable everyone to understand ways to resolve their dispute more quickly.
If the parties are not able to resolve their dispute, the resolution coordinator will help with case management to make sure parties can quickly get to a hearing.
Renters and rental providers will be able to access RDRV via:
- a new standalone website (soon to be launched) that will include a new portal to submit applications, upload documents and manage cases.
- a dedicated 1300 phone number and by approaching trained counter staff at VCAT’s metropolitan and community-based venues.
Find out more about Rental Dispute Resolution Victoria on the VCAT website.
