RDRV or VCAT? Where to take a Victorian renting dispute

Start with the issue

Bond claim: check the Residential Tenancies Bond Authority (RTBA) notice and what each proposed deduction covers. Pay attention to the actual notification and deadline for your situation. Bond deductions in Victoria: what evidence to ask for explains the evidence to request.

Co-renters disagree about their private bond contributions: CAV says RDRV and VCAT cannot resolve that contribution dispute. Try to agree with the other renters; the Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria may be able to help. However, if someone has started an RTBA bond claim, another renter named on that bond may contest the claim through RDRV or VCAT. Check the actual RTBA notice and its deadline; that is a different process.

Urgent repair: contact the rental provider or agent promptly and in writing. Check CAV's urgent-repair guidance. Don't use this article to judge whether a gas, electrical or other dangerous problem can wait. See Urgent and non-urgent rental repairs in Victoria and Paying for an urgent rental repair in Victoria: how to request reimbursement for the repair and reimbursement pathways.

Non-urgent repair: make a dated written request. CAV says the rental provider must make non-urgent repairs within 14 days of receiving that request. Depending on the issue and steps already taken, inspection, RDRV or a VCAT application may be relevant.

Rent increase: check the specific notice, the time limits and whether RDRV's excessive-rent pathway is available. Don't use a bond-dispute deadline for a rent-increase question.

What RDRV and VCAT do

RDRV helps eligible parties exchange information and try to settle a dispute. VCAT can make orders in matters within its jurisdiction when a dispute isn't resolved or takes an eligible direct route. Check each service's current application requirements before lodging.

Three things to establish before applying

What exact issue and remedy are you asking about?

When did you receive a notice or send a written repair request, and what is the relevant deadline?

Is there an immediate safety concern or urgent procedure rather than an ordinary dispute timetable?

For a detailed evidence index, use Preparing evidence for a Victorian rental dispute. For bond deductions, use Bond deductions in Victoria: what evidence to ask for. The official CAV dispute guidance and myRDRV portal provide the current application routes.

Bond notice rule from 13 October 2026

For a rental-provider-initiated bond claim, Consumer Affairs Victoria's current bond-claims guidance says renters must be notified and given supporting evidence at least 3 business days before the RTBA claim. The Consumer Legislation Amendment Act 2025 (section 10) uses different wording — at least 3 days — and the reason for this difference remains unresolved. Check CAV guidance and your actual RTBA notice promptly; seek tenancy advice if the timing affects your rights. The separate 14-day period for contesting a renter-initiated claim is a different process. [Bond deductions in Victoria: what evidence to ask for explains the evidence to request. (Sources checked 18 October 2026.)](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/as-made/acts/consumer-legislation-amendment-act-2025)