The program aims to address the high demand for rental assistance in the Victorian Community to support Renters to stay in their homes.

The program assists renters by providing Advocacy and Legal Advice services within Inner Gippsland.

Services are provided via a range of engagement options such as face to face contact, telephone, and video conferencing.

This new two-year initiative is funded by the State Government of Victoria as represented by the Department of Government Services (consumer Affairs Victoria).

The RSSP program only deals with private rental matters, ie: Renters living in Agent Managed and Private Landlord properties, Caravan Parks, and Rooming Houses. Services are provided over the phone and face to face in the community and can include the following types of assistance:

Information assistance

Assisting tenants in reviewing and explaining documents and providing information and advice on rights and processes

Dispute resolution support

Assisting tenants by using a range of negotiation and advocacy techniques to resolve disputes with landlords, preparing documents relating to VCAT hearings or dispute resolution

Appearing with the tenant at VCAT hearings and supporting the tenant as an advocate

• Formal referral via a Real Estate Agent
• Central Service (Tenants Union of Victoria)
• Formal referral via Consumer Affairs Victoria
• Formal referral via an external Agency/Support Provider
• Self-referral by the Renter directly
• Informal referral from the VCAT member via the Duty Clerk

Renters are eligible for Advocacy and Legal Advice Services where the following applies:

• The renter is renting through a real estate agent
• The renter is renting in a caravan park
• The renter is renting through a rooming house
• The renter is renting through a private landlord
• The renter is renting in the Latrobe, Baw Baw, South Gippsland and Bass Coast local government areas