The 2024 market rent review has been deferred from August until November 2024 to give renters more time to plan for changes to their rent and apply for a rental rebate or financial assistance.
What you can expect this year
To give renters time to adjust to rent changes and apply for a rental rebate or financial hardship assistance, the market rent review is being deferred until 24 November 2024 and will no longer take effect from 18 August 2024.
In September 2024, renters will receive a letter from Homes Victoria to confirm the new rental amount of their property which will commence from 24 November 2024.
Renters previously advised of a rent decrease will have the decrease applied to what they pay in rent from 18 August 2024.
Help keep your rent right
No renter in public housing needs to pay more than 25% of their income in rent. This is very different to the private rental market that does not have this rent protection.
For most renters, the market rent review will not impact the rent they pay because they receive a rebate.
To help keep your rent right, please let us know of any changes to your household income or circumstances before 24 November by:
- updating your household and income information using Housing Vic Online Services, or
- by submitting an Application for rental rebate via your local housing office
If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact Housing Vic or talk to your local housing office.
All public housing renters can also access a free and confidential financial counselling and wellbeing service. More information about renter supports can be found in 2024 Rent Review - renter support
Frequently asked questions
Who pays public housing rent and how is it decided?
Public housing rent is paid by people who live in public housing. The amount they pay is either no more than 25% of their household income or the market rent of the property - whichever is the lesser amount.
This ensures a fair and sustainable public housing system and is very different to the private rental market that does not have this protection.
What is a market rent review?
A market rent review is an assessment conducted once a year to adjust rents to ensure a fair and sustainable public housing system.
Why is the market rent review being deferred?
To give renters time to adjust to rent changes and apply for a rental rebate or financial hardship assistance, the new rent amount paid by public housing renters is being deferred until 24 November 2024 and will no longer take effect from 18 August 2024.
This means that renters will now have more time to plan for these changes.
How are households being notified of the deferral?
All public housing renters will receive a formal letter in September 2024 to notify them of their new rent and the date of 24 November when rent changes will come into effect.
When does the change in rent take effect?
Renters previously advised of a market rent decrease will have the decrease applied to what they pay in rent from 18 August 2024.
Renters advised of an increase will now have more time to adjust to changes which will commence from 24 November.
Does the rent review include changes to water charges?
No. Water charges will not be adjusted as part of the 2024 rent review.
Where does public housing rent go?
Every dollar that is generated from rent-goes back into making public housing better.
Rent is invested in things like maintenance, cleaning, security and the delivery of other important housing services for renters.
What protections are there for public housing renters?
No public housing renter is expected to pay more than 25% of their household income on rent or the market rent of the property - whichever is the lesser amount.
If the market rent of a property is more than 25% of a household income, the household can apply for a rental rebate so that their rental costs remain affordable. Over time, the incomes of households living in public housing can increase due to changing circumstances and employment – however so long as they continue to meet income and asset eligibility rules, they are still entitled to stay in public housing and pay no more than 25% of their income as rent.
All public housing renters are notified of rent reviews and outcomes.
Can I update my housing details online?
Yes. Housing Vic Online Services is a safe and easy way for renters to manage housing information and services and is accessible through their myGov account. Renters are also able to access a range of other housing services via this online service, including making a rental payment, updating personal details, requesting a statement, receiving digital mail and updating household income.
Get started using Housing Vic Online Services
What supports are available for renters?
A range of supports are available for renters if they feel their rent is too high. These include:
- Rental rebate
- Hardship subsidy
- Financial counselling and wellbeing services
Renters can apply for a rental rebate by updating their household and income information using Housing Vic Online Services, or by submitting an Application for rental rebate via their local housing office.
If renters are not eligible for a rental rebate and have extenuating circumstances that reduce their ability to meet existing financial obligations, they may be able to access a hardship subsidy.
All public housing renters also have access to a free and confidential financial counselling and wellbeing service.
More information – including in-language information about renter support is provided in 2024 Rent Review – renter support.
If a renter believes their market rent amount is unfair, they can also seek an independent review conducted by Consumer Affairs Victoria or apply for an order directly through VCAT.
Renter rights and information
For more information about renter rights and responsibilities, visit the public renters page or contact your local housing office
Related links
To find out more about how public housing rent is set, visit the rent explainer page.
Find more information about how to apply for a rental rebate on the market rent and rental rebates page.
Read more Homes Victoria news, including project updates and stories from our renters here.