Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) - Melbourne, Victoria

Zitao H.

Only got in favor of $400 compensation for being vacated within 23 days due to landlord defaulted on bank mortgage. And couldn’t get $75 hearing fee included. Situation like this in NSW, tenants could get 30 days rent back, while in VIC, $400 compensation to tenants is an “indulgence” according to the member. Rental laws here is ancient and a tool to waste tax we pay. God bless VCAT and N Fleming.

Phillip X.

This review is not due to a hearing not going in my favour.

Yes, I the landlord had loss to recover property expenses, time and emotional stress from a negligent, irresponsible agency that lack due care to do their job.

This is about a failure of the system.

The justice system had loss.

The ability to review, events through an unbiased lens, lack of empathy of a general interest to investigate the case evidence at hand without leaning to certain parties.

Its clear going through a VCAT hearings, there seems a hierarchy of bias.

IMO the system is broken and needs a decentralisation model.

Point 1
A bedroom door handle stopped working.
Tenant pulls door handle off and glues it back with ‘putty’. As a result further damage to the door, door handle and further extensive additional work required to refit door handle and extensive work to door.

I get it.

This is wear and tear of the door handle. But, a) why wasn’t this documented by the agency, and b) tenants can ‘have a go’ create further damage to a property and blatantly it’s the landlords responsibility.

Point 2
Mould developed in the property.

I was informed 8 weeks after tenant first sighting the mould and numerous complaints by tenant. Unfortunately, this delay by agency contributed to the tenant vacating the property under duress circumstances, which escalated the situation. As a result, the landlord experienced significant loss and was left substantially out of pocket—both financially and time.

No invoices for carpet clean.

No agency documentation (Entry or condition reports and exit report) presented Until the case was heard. NO completion of exit report or signed off by parties.

But its all okay.

It is ok for the tenant to take the landlord to VCAT and reimburse for loss due to mould. The system lacked consistency, ethics and adjudicate on the grounds of policy.

But. You guessed it, this was overlooked amongst other points.

Seems like property managers can do (or not do) what they please and take zero accountability.

From a former Victorian property investor.

J

Don't even bother with VCAT if you're a renter anymore.

The judge I had was completely incapable to reading a piece of paper, had to correct them countless times and I was up against someone of a minority which the judge choose they'd win and said it verbally before even hearing both sides.

You'd think to be a judge, you'd want someone impartial and can actually read but I guess not.

This wasn't even the first time with a judge of this calibre and I'm disgusted that my tax dollars go to paying these exuberant salaries.

George B.

Never have I ever felt such injustice in my life, the judge I was granted couldn't even read properly, kept forgetting the day of the week and the simplest of calculations had to be done with a calculator even for guestimations. No point going into my case but I expected better, not only a just outcome but simply better educated overall

Varaha S. B.

After seeing negative reviews here thought of not lodging complaint (building dispute with builder) but I had no other option so lodged complaint (500$ fee). After almost 3 years waiting and they cancelled even with out hearing as builder filed bankruptcy. I requested to add builder individually instead of company, they denied and closed case. They could have speed up the process initially, they took 3 years for end to end process and builder filed bankruptcy. Easy escape for culprits as VCAT take ages to look into cases. waste of money.

Neil J.

I thought the low rating of VCAT was a bit unfortunate and that people might sometimes simply take out their frustrations at life on them.

However i went to the VCAT building in Melbourne to get a stat dec signed. After waiting at security just to get to the service counter, I was told they could not have them signed there, and I would need to go to Chemist Warehouse up the road.

Actually what they said was incorrect. They can sign them there. The building is full of lawyers, JPs and others who can witness them.

Rather, the reason they should have given is "we don't want to do them here".

Sure - they're busy. You can see that for your eyes when you go there. ... but we're all busy. The whole of Melbourne is busy. Chemist Warehouse is busy.

Sorry folks, but you need to think about doing what comes with having the right qualifications.

Clinton P.

What a joke, just go to Supreme court. Over 2 years to get to a final hearing. Then when the VCAT member wanted to override an unfair time restraint the car manufacturer questioned VCATs jurisdiction and the member adjourned the hearing to sort it out. Then 10 months later (3 years in total) the next member didn't want to override the time restraint the previous member wanted to. You're just rolling the dice to see what member you get. Unfortunately the conglomerate companies know how to play the system at VCAT and make things draw out and delay until they get a member who's on their side.

Sai K.

This security guard was behaving rude and unprofessionally.
His behaviour is not at all acceptable. I feel when you are working as a Watchman at VCAT you should inform and covey your procedures assertively.
You cant behave as if you own the place.
Hope someone avoids this guard so that you can work peacefully at VCAT