September 24, 2025

Victorian renters face unpredictable and high rental increases, making it hard for them to plan into the future

A collaboration between CPRC and Tenants Victoria, this report explores: 

  • how rental providers make rent-setting decisions 
  • the inconsistent approaches and role of real estate agents, and 
  • how media coverage can influence the rental crisis. 

 

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Rent setting  

Rent increase drivers 

2 in 3

Two-thirds of rental providers cite rising costs like land tax, maintenance and insurance 

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2 in 5

Two in five want to keep up with market rates 

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Renter experience

4 in 5

Four in five rental providers have raised rent in recent years 

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1 in 5

One in five have had renters complain about increases 

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Good practice

1 in 3

A third of rental providers already consider renter financial wellbeing when setting rent 

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Recommendations

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Reforms to review the setting of fair limits on rent increases, with a transparent and consistent formula to prevent excessive increases
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Incentivise rental providers who adopt practices that benefit renters, including considering the impact of rent increases
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CAV partner with industry to deliver consistent, high-quality education for rental providers, especially those who self-manage
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Victorian Government invest in better ways to identify and engage rental providers, so regulators can understand practices and support good behaviour
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Training for property managers should include transparent and fair approaches to increasing rent, and skills in conflict resolution
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Regulators publish trend data on rent disputes and excessive rent investigations to improve transparency
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Mortgage lenders to assess investment loans with consideration of ongoing costs such as maintenance, repairs and compliance

Where to from here?

CPRC welcomes the opportunity to work further on this issue with government, regulators, policy makers, academics and the residential parks sector.

If you are in one of the above groups and would like a one-on-one briefing for your organisation, contact our team today. 

This research is a collaboration between CPRC and Tenants Victoria.

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