Rent increases and notice periods: how to check what applies

Rent increases and notice periods: how to check what applies

If you have received a rent increase notice, or you want to check whether a proposed increase is valid, the decision turns on the rules that apply in your state or territory. Notice periods, the form that must be used, how often rent can be increased and how the amount is worked out are set out in the renting laws and guidance published by each jurisdiction. This guide explains how to check those rules using the official ACT, Victorian and WA government sources, and what each source says about notice periods and timing.

Rent increase notice periods at a glance

The table reflects only the supplied official extracts. If you rent in another state or territory, use that jurisdiction's official renting page instead.

Victoria: 90 days, a required form, and clear increase details

Consumer Victoria states that rental providers must tell renters about rent increases at least 90 days before they are going to put the rent up, and they must use the required form. The rent increase information in the rental agreement and in the Notice of rent increase must be sufficiently clear so the renter can work out how rent increases will be calculated. The notice provides for a specific amount of rent increase.

To show what clear information can look like, Consumer Victoria's guidance uses an example that ties the next increase to the Consumer Price Index increase as reported by the Australian Bureau of Statistics for the September 2025 quarter, expressed as 1.8%. Treat that only as an illustration of how a clause can be drafted. It is not a cap on increases, and it is not current CPI data — the extract does not set the amount of any increase.

Consumer Victoria also notes that if the rental provider increases the rent, the renter can accept the increase. The official guidance continues from there, so read the full section for the renter's options and any review or dispute process before you respond.

Western Australia: 60 days, the correct form, and renewal timing

In WA, to increase the rent an agent, landlord or park operator must give at least 60 days' notice using one of the following forms: "Notice to tenant of rent increase" (Form RP10), or "Notice to tenant: Proposed rent increase due to increased costs". The notice must include the amount of the increased rent and the day it will start. When the agreement ends and is renewed, there must be at least 12 months since the last rent increase.

The practical check is therefore: does the notice you received use one of those listed forms, give at least 60 days, and state both the new rent amount and the day the increase starts? If any detail is missing, compare the notice against the Consumer Protection WA page before accepting or responding.

ACT: frequency, amount, and a calculator update

The ACT Government's guidance states there are rules about how often a landlord can increase the rent and by how much. The source gives an example of how the timing rule works with consecutive agreements: if a landlord and tenant enter into a 6-month fixed-term tenancy and then agree to enter into a consecutive 12-month fixed-term tenancy, the landlord will be able to increase the rent 6 months into the second 12-month fixed term. This shows why the type and sequence of your agreement matters when working out when an increase can take effect.

The ACT also provides a rent-increase calculator. According to the official source, it is being updated because the Australian Bureau of Statistics has moved to monthly reporting of CPI. While the calculator is updated, the guidance says you can manually work out your rental increase by reading the section on rent increases. Because the calculator is being changed to reflect CPI reporting, it draws on CPI data; check the official ACT rent-increases section for the current method and for any limit that applies to the amount of an increase.

The supplied extract does not state the ACT minimum notice period, so confirm that directly on the ACT Government page. For the underlying legal rules, the ACT Government publishes its legislation on the ACT Legislation Register, which is the official place to read the law itself.

How to check what applies to your tenancy

1. Confirm your jurisdiction and tenancy type: fixed-term, periodic, or a residential park site. The WA forms refer to park operators, and the ACT example refers to fixed-term tenancies and consecutive agreements.
2. Open the official government page for your state or territory — the ACT, Consumer Victoria or Consumer Protection WA page listed in the source section.
3. Check the notice period and the form. Victoria: at least 90 days with the required form. WA: at least 60 days with Form RP10 or the increased-costs form. ACT: read the page for the current period and any required form.
4. Check how often and how much. How frequently can rent be increased, and how is the amount worked out? In WA, a renewed agreement needs at least 12 months since the last increase. In the ACT, use the calculator where available, or follow the manual method in the rent-increases section.
5. Check the notice contents. Look for the amount, the day the increase starts, and how the amount was calculated. Victoria requires the information to be clear enough for the renter to work out the calculation.
6. Check your options and deadlines. Read the official guidance on accepting or responding to an increase, and note any time limits that apply.
7. Keep a copy of the notice, the rental agreement, and the dates, so you can compare them against the official rules.

What you should verify with the official source

• What is the current minimum notice period in the ACT, and is a prescribed form required?
• What is the current method for working out an ACT rent increase, and is there a limit tied to CPI? The calculator update is linked to the ABS move to monthly CPI reporting.
• In Victoria, what is the name of the required Notice of rent increase form, and what are the renter's options after receiving it?
• In WA, do the 60-day rule and the 12-month renewal rule apply to your specific agreement type, such as a residential park site?
• Has any guidance changed since publication, and is the ACT calculator still being updated?

Next steps

Go to the official rent-increases page for your state or territory and read the section that matches your agreement type. If you are in the ACT, use the calculator where it is available and otherwise follow the manual method in the guidance. Compare the notice you received against the notice period, the form, the amount, the start date and the calculation requirements set out above. If the notice does not appear to meet those requirements, or you are unsure about your options, use the contact or review pathway listed on the official government page rather than an unofficial summary. Check the official page again before you act, because notice periods, forms and calculation methods can change.

General information only

This article is general information published by Australian Today, an independent information website. It is not legal, tax, financial, credit or migration advice, and it is not personalised to your situation. Australian Today is not a lender, broker, government body, regulator or comparison panel, and it does not approve, arrange or compare rental or loan products. Australian Today does not promise any outcome, approval or saving.

The factual points above come only from the official ACT, Victorian and WA government sources listed in the source section, based on the extracts supplied at the time of writing. Rent rules can change and can depend on your agreement and circumstances, so always confirm the current rule with the responsible state or territory agency before you act on, or respond to, a rent increase notice. Do not treat the CPI example in this article as a current rate or as a limit on rent increases.