What Are the Rules for Rent Increases and Form 3A in Victoria in 2026?

In Victoria, landlords can increase rent once every 12 months for periodic leases or at the end of a fixed-term lease if specified in the agreement, but the increase must not be excessive under the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 and the Consumer Affairs Victoria rent increase rules. From 2026, all rental applications must use the standardised Form 3A prescribed rental application form (effective 31 March 2026), which limits the personal information landlords and agents can request and supports compliant screening. Tenants can challenge excessive rent increases through Consumer Affairs Victoria and, if needed, VCAT, and Victorian guidance makes clear a rental provider or agent can’t evict you for using or intending to act on your rights (see “Threat of eviction” in the Renters Guide).

How Often Can Rent Be Increased and What Counts as "Excessive"?

Victorian rental law permits one rent increase per 12-month period for periodic (month-to-month) tenancies (rent increase frequency rules and exceptions by agreement start date). For fixed-term leases, rent can only rise if the lease agreement explicitly includes a clause allowing it, and even then, no more than once every 12 months (rules for increases during fixed-term agreements). Landlords must provide 60 days' written notice using the approved Notice of Rent Increase form CAV says the minimum notice period changed from 60 to 90 days from 25 November 2025, using the prescribed Notice of proposed rent increase form.

An "excessive" rent increase is defined not by a specific percentage cap but by whether the new rent is significantly higher than comparable properties in the same area (how excessive rent is assessed and challenged). Consumer Affairs Victoria considers factors including location, size, condition, proximity to transport and schools, and recent rental data for similar homes (see the rent assessment process).

Tenants can challenge an increase by requesting a rent assessment and then, if needed, progressing the dispute through Rental Dispute Resolution Victoria (RDRV) and on to VCAT (the CAV process explains the sequence and time limits). Importantly, Victorian consumer guidance states a rental provider or agent can’t evict you for using or intending to act on your rights (see “Threat of eviction” in the Renters Guide).

What Is Form 3A and How Does It Change Rental Applications?

Form 3A is Victoria's mandatory rental application form, introduced to standardise what information landlords and real estate agents can collect during the screening process (see the new standard form for rental applications from 31 March 2026 and the CAV guidance that rental providers must use the prescribed form). The key rule is that from 31 March 2026, rental providers must not request any information or ask any questions about a rental applicant outside the prescribed form (CAV application guidance).

This change addresses longstanding complaints about invasive screening practices by making the application process consistent and limiting data collection to what the prescribed form allows (CAV reform summary). Applicants must still demonstrate their ability to pay rent, but the legal requirement is that requests stay within the prescribed form (CAV application guidance).

For landlords, Form 3A simplifies compliance and reduces legal risk, including around unlawful discrimination, which is regulated through Victorian protections such as the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 and explained in CAV’s guidance on unlawful discrimination in renting.

Tenant Rights: Challenging Rent Increases Without Damaging Relationships

Many Melbourne renters worry that disputing a rent hike will lead to eviction or a poor reference. Victorian consumer guidance states a rental provider or agent can’t evict you for using or intending to act on your rights and can only end a rental agreement for specific reasons and with the correct process (see “Threat of eviction” in the Renters Guide and the overview of valid reasons and notice rules in CAV’s notice to vacate guidance).

Tenants can request a rent review informally before escalating via the formal pathway (rent assessment → RDRV → VCAT), and a polite, evidence-based email to the property manager—attaching rental listings for comparable homes in the suburb—often prompts negotiation. For instance, if a landlord proposes raising rent on a two-bedroom unit in Footscray from $450 to $520 per week, but similar units are advertised at $480, the tenant can present that data and suggest a compromise at $490.

Maintaining respectful communication protects the relationship while asserting legal rights. Tenants who pay on time, care for the property and communicate proactively are more likely to receive favourable treatment, even when challenging an unreasonable increase.

Landlord Obligations: Fair Increases and Compliant Screening

For landlords, setting rent increases requires balancing market returns with tenant retention. Losing a reliable tenant to an aggressive rent rise often costs more than the additional income, once vacancy periods, advertising, re-letting fees and potential property damage are factored in.

Property managers and rental providers should ensure rent increases follow the prescribed process and timeframes, including the correct Notice of proposed rent increase form and the updated minimum notice period (CAV rent increase rules). For applications, agents must follow the prescribed rental application requirements from 31 March 2026 and not request information outside the prescribed form, which also supports compliance with Victorian anti-discrimination obligations under the Equal Opportunity Act 2010.

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