Apply about a residential tenancies dispute

Gather all of the evidence that you would like to use at the hearing.

All photographs must:

• be in colour
• include the date they were taken on
• identify the room/area of the property they were taken in.

Save a copy of each piece of evidence using a file name that is easy to refer to. For example, 's91ZM NTV No 3', 'Ingoing condition report', 'Video of incident 2.10.24', 'Photo damage kitchen bench'.

When saving your files, make sure:

• files are not password-protected or restricted by security settings
• files are no larger than 90 MB per file.

Learn how to make your file smaller

Your files should be saved in a format we can accept. The file formats we accept are:

• Portable Document Format (.PDF)
• Microsoft Word (.DOC or .DOCX)
• Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet (.XLS or .XLSX)
• CSV
• JPG or JPEG
• PNG.

You must give the other parties in your case a copy of any evidence that you would like to use at the hearing. You should email or post your evidence to them.

When emailing evidence, you must attach each file separately.

Before you send your evidence, make sure:

• files are not password-protected or restricted by security settings
• files are no larger than 90 MB per file.

Learn how to make your file smaller

Do not send evidence as file links or zip files. Your files should be sent in a format that is easy to access:

• Portable Document Format (.PDF)
• Microsoft Word (.DOC or .DOCX)
• Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet (.XLS or .XLSX)
• CSV
• JPG or JPEG
• PNG.

You must confirm you’ve sent your evidence by uploading proof to the evidence link we emailed you after you applied.

If you have not provided us with an email address, you won't have received the evidence link. To request the evidence link, please provide your email address and ask for the link by emailing renting@courts.vic.gov.au

Before your hearing, you will receive an email from us that includes a link to upload your evidence directly to our portal. The email will be titled ‘VCAT evidence link’ and will include the proceeding number and rented premises address. If you have multiple cases in progress, they will each have a separate link to upload your evidence.

You should click the link to upload and submit your evidence. Do not submit any other information using this link.

Before you upload your evidence, make sure:

• files are not password-protected or restricted by security settings
• files are no larger than 90 MB per file and 500 MB in total.

Learn how to make your file smaller

Your files should be uploaded in a format we can accept. The file formats we accept are:

• Portable Document Format (.PDF)
• Microsoft Word (.DOC or .DOCX)
• Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet (.XLS or .XLSX)
• CSV
• JPG or JPEG
• PNG.

The link is active for 6 months from the date it is sent to you. If the case is still active after 6 months, you will require a new link. You must submit your evidence at least 3 days prior to your hearing. This might be sooner for urgent cases.

If you have not provided us with an email address, you won't have received the evidence link. To request the evidence link, please provide your email address and ask for the link by emailing renting@courts.vic.gov.au

If you are attending a hearing at one of our venues, you must also bring a paper copy of all your documents to the hearing.

If you have any questions or requests, email us at renting@courts.vic.gov.au

If you haven’t received documents from the other party in your case, you can request copies by emailing us at renting@courts.vic.gov.au

Do not submit requests using the evidence link.

We can email you:

• any orders made
• the original application.

We can also arrange access to other case documents, which may take up to 5 business days, depending on the request.

If your hearing is within 48 hours, please label your e-mail as 'urgent' and call us, so we can help.

For faster access, contact the other party or their representative (such as a real estate agent). The applicant is legally required to provide copies of the application to all parties involved.

Who can access documents

You can access documents submitted by others in a residential tenancies case for free if you’re:

• a party in the case (applicant or respondent)
• representing a party at the hearing – for example, you are the renter’s representative or the rental provider's real estate agent
• advising or assisting a party who has given you permission to access documents on their behalf.

Learn how to access documents if you're not a party