Public housing rent explainer

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. 

Every 6 months households that receive a rental rebate have their eligibility reassessed. This rent review looks at the reported household income and information. 

As a result of the review, households will receive a letter with the payment amount for the next 6 months. The payment amount may be the same or may change.  

All public housing renters receive a letter from the department as part of the rent review. This is to inform renters about any changes.   

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. 

To help keep your rent right, please let us know of any changes to your household income or circumstances before 17 August 2025 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 your local housing office.  

New weekly payment amounts will commence from 17 August 2025.  

The rent review will not include changes to water charges.  

A market rent review as distinct from a general rent review, is an assessment conducted once a year in line with section 44 of the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 to adjust rents to ensure a fair and sustainable public housing system.   

Market rent is the value the property would rent for in the private market and is regularly and independently assessed by the Valuer General Victoria based on similar properties. The Valuer General considers the age, building location and amenity of a selection of public housing properties in determining market rents.  

A small number of Victoria’s public housing renters pay market rent with the vast majority receiving a rental rebate from the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing to keep their rent at 25% of their household income.  

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.

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. 

For more information about renter rights and responsibilities, visit the public renters page or contact your local housing office 

Housing staff are here to help you.  You can apply for a rental rebate anytime, so you only pay 25% of your total household income on rent. 

After speaking with your local housing office, if you still require assistance, you can visit Feedback, complaints and appeals for more information. 

You can also contact Consumer Affairs Victoria for advice about changes to your market rent.  

You can ask Consumer Affairs Victoria to review your market rent in writing within 30 days of receiving the rent increase notice.

Contact Consumer Affairs Victoria by 

• visiting the Consumer Affairs Victoria website 
• calling the renting helpline on 1300 55 81 81. 

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