Sometimes things go wrong during a rental agreement. You might find yourself paying for repairs that you’re not responsible for, or covering the costs of repairing damage that isn’t your fault. When this happens, you can ask to be compensated so any extra costs are covered.
RDRV helps renters and rental providers resolve their dispute. We review what happened, talk to everyone involved, and help find a fair outcome that follows Victorian rental laws.
Need help with a compensation dispute?
If you’re having trouble resolving your dispute, you can apply to RDRV for help. Just fill in your details, and one of our Resolution Coordinators will be in touch.
How we help
If you've tried to get compensation for an issue with your rental agreement but haven’t had any luck, we can step in and help. When you apply to RDRV, a Resolution Coordinator will:
- Explain your options
- Contact the other party to understand their side and gather any evidence
- Help both sides work towards an agreement
How does RDRV work?
RDRV is a specialist rental dispute resolution and case management service provided by VCAT.
Using myRDRV, our online portal, can help you save time. We can work with you face-to-face or remotely, so you can choose to sort things out from anywhere that's convenient.
Here's how it works:
Step1: Submit an application
If you have a rental dispute, you can apply online through myRDRV, our online portal. You’ll need to provide your details and some basic information about what happened.
Step 2: Case review
Once your application is submitted, an RDRV Resolution Coordinator will review the information and get in touch with you to discuss your options.
Step 3: Resolution process
RDRV communicates with both parties - renters and rental providers - to try and find a fair solution. We use mediation and negotiation techniques to help everyone involved come to an agreement that complies with rental laws.
What if we can’t agree?
Most disputes can be resolved by RDRV. If an agreement can’t be reached, the parties may need to go to a hearing.
If you need to go to a hearing, standard application fees will apply.
Your RDRV Resolution Coordinator will help you through the entire process. They’ll let the right people know what has happened with your application so far and that you have not reached an agreement. The Resolution Coordinator will help you to prepare a hearing and answer your questions.
Tips for handling compensation disputes
- Keep a record of any repair requests and follow up in writing
- If you've had extra costs due to a maintenance delay, keep receipts and photos
- If you need compensation, explain why and provide any supporting documents
- If you can’t reach an agreement with the rental provider, apply to RDRV
- If your issue is complex and needs to go to VCAT, we’ll help you through the process
- Document any damage beyond fair wear and tear with photos and condition reports
- Keep records of unpaid rent, early lease breaks, and repair costs
- Try to resolve the disagreement with the renter before making a claim
- If you can’t reach an agreement, apply to RDRV for assistance
- If needed, we’ll help you escalate the dispute to VCAT
Frequently asked questions
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We assist with financial losses caused by issues during a rental agreement.
- Renters can claim compensation for any loss arising from a rental provider not complying with their obligations under the rental agreement
- Rental providers may seek compensation for unpaid rent, property damage, or early lease termination. Similarly, rental providers may claim for any loss arising from a renter not complying with their obligations under the rental agreement
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It depends on the situation, but useful evidence includes emails, receipts, invoices, condition reports and photos. RDRV can review your claim and discuss it with the other party.
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If you and the other party can’t come to an agreement, RDRV will outline your options, including how to take the matter to a hearing if needed.
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All disputes about rental compensation in Victoria must be submitted through RDRV. This is a requirement under new legislation as part of the Victorian Government’s 2024-2034 Housing Statement.
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After you apply to RDRV, we’ll do everything we can to help you get fairly compensated for your rental issue. However, in some more complex cases, a dispute may end up having to go to a hearing. If this happens, your RDRV Resolution Coordinator will support you through the process and provide everything you have given us to the right people. This will make the process faster, so you don’t have to provide the same information twice. You will need to give evidence and present your story to a Member at the hearing.
If you have to go to a hearing, you may have to pay an application fee. You can find information about costs, concessions, and discounts here.