Advice
Basic initial advice to help you understand the issue and consider your next steps.
What is tenancy law?
Residential tenancy law sets out rights and responsibilities when you rent your home. It covers agreements, rent, repairs, minimum standards, bonds and ending a tenancy. Your rights depend on the housing arrangement. Seek advice promptly about a notice to vacate or hearing date.
Different housing arrangements
- Private rental: a home rented from an owner, often through an agent.
- Public housing: a home rented through Homes Victoria.
- Community housing: housing provided by a not-for-profit organisation.
- Rooming houses and boarding: renting a room can involve different arrangements. Boarders and rooming house residents do not necessarily have the same legal rights.
- Co-tenancy: people named together on a rental agreement share responsibilities. Moving out may not end your obligations; lease and bond changes need attention.
Questions we can discuss
- Rental agreements, notices and housing arrangements.
- Repairs, rent increases, arrears and bond disputes.
- Shared rental responsibilities and changes of co-renter.
- Risk of eviction and renter advice or tribunal support.
How we may help
- Basic initial advice about your residential renting concern.
- Help understanding a notice or relevant documents.
- Assessment of further assistance or referral, including specialist renter services such as Tenants Victoria.
What level of assistance can we offer?
We assess each matter individually, taking account of its suitability and our available resources. An enquiry or appointment does not guarantee ongoing assistance or representation.
Referral
Information about another legal or support service when specialist help is needed or we cannot assist.
Further assistance
A specific legal task or ongoing casework may be available, decided case by case and subject to resources.
What we do not do
- Commercial or business matters.
- Conveyancing, real-estate transactions and property ownership disputes.
- Personal injury claims and WorkCover.
Our tenancy information concerns residential renters and residents. We do not handle property purchases or sales, ownership disputes or commercial leases. Tribunal representation is not automatically available.
Prepare for your appointment
- Bring your agreement, notices, rent records and relevant messages.
- Include repair requests, photographs and any tribunal application.
- Tell us when notices arrived and whether you face a hearing or risk of losing your home.
Talk to us
Contact Southport Community Legal Service to discuss an appointment.
Call 03 9646 6066, 0490 934 661 or 0440 131 920.
Email [email protected].
Further information
- Tenants Victoria: rental and housing types
- Tenants Victoria: rooming houses
- Tenants Victoria: private rentals and share houses
- Consumer Affairs Victoria: co-renting
- Consumer Affairs Victoria: boarding
This page provides general information. Ask for advice about your own circumstances. Information reviewed September 2026.