Cut the Tribunal Drama: Victoria’s New Way to Handle Rental Disputes Without VCAT
If you’ve ever sat through the slow-moving grind of a VCAT hearing, you’ll understand why landlords across Victoria are welcoming a new alternative. Rental Dispute Resolution Victoria (RDRV) is a fresh approach to handling tenancy issues, and for time-poor property investors, it could be exactly what the market needs.
VCAT has long been the default channel for resolving rental disagreements, but it’s not exactly investor-friendly. Lengthy wait times, formal hearings, and the occasional curveball can all chip away at your returns. Enter RDRV — a free service that aims to resolve common disputes without ever needing to step into a tribunal room.
What is RDRV?
RDRV is a Victorian government initiative designed to take the heat out of rental disagreements. Rather than launching straight into the formal tribunal process, landlords and tenants now have the option of working with a Resolution Coordinator. These mediators help both parties work through the issue in a more structured but informal way. The goal is simple: resolve the matter early, and avoid the time and cost involved in taking it further.
It’s already being used to settle bond disagreements, compensation claims, rent increases, and repair issues. In other words, the usual suspects when it comes to investor stress.
Why this matters to investors
For property owners, time is money. Whether it’s chasing unpaid rent or arguing over repair responsibilities, every unresolved issue costs something. What RDRV offers is a way to clear the backlog before it gets expensive. No more waiting months for a tribunal hearing just to recover a few hundred dollars. No more email tennis that goes nowhere. If the matter does need to go to VCAT, at least it arrives there with the groundwork already done.
It’s also worth noting what RDRV signals about the direction of tenancy policy in Victoria. Support systems are increasingly being set up with tenants in mind. For landlords, that means a growing need to understand process, policy, and the practical tools available to resolve issues quickly.
A smarter way forward
At Club Property Management, we’re not waiting to see how this plays out. We’re already helping our clients navigate RDRV and other state-level changes so they can avoid unnecessary conflict and keep their portfolios running smoothly. Managing property isn’t just about leasing. It’s about protecting your time and your income.
If you want a management team that can handle the hard conversations and knows how to use the right systems at the right time, get in touch.
Email leasing@clubpropertymanagement.com.au to learn more about how we can support you.