Appealing a Public Housing Decision
If you do not agree with a decision made by the department's Housing and Community Building Division you may be able to appeal.
You can appeal decisions about:
- allocations policy decisions
- eligibility for rental housing
- eligibility for special housing needs program
- eligibility for Homeless with support category
- eligibility for supported housing program
- allocation/offers of accommodation
- relocation policy and relocation agreements
- mutual swaps
- revival of rental applications
- rental rebate policy assessments
- cancellation of a rebate
- backdating a rebate assessment
- rebate calculations
- Bond Loan Scheme
- eligibility for bond assistance
- car parking matters
- allocation of a car bay
- movable units
- requests for special maintenance work
- internal and external work permits
- requests for security screens
- requests for disability modifications
- applications for sleep-outs
Matters that are dealt with by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) which will not be reviewed through the Housing appeals process include:
- rental arrears recovery procedures
- requests for emergency and responsive maintenance
- tenant responsibility charges
You can contact VCAT on (03) 9628 9800 or for country residents, 1800 133 055 free call.
How to appeal
- Discuss your concerns with your Housing Officer. If you are still not happy, you can put in an appeal.
- It's best if you appeal as soon as you can. It's free to appeal and your appeal will be confidential, but you do need to appeal in writing.
- To appeal a decision you will need to fill in the Housing Appeal Application Form. Explain what you're appealing against and why. You will need to include copies of any documents that support your case.
If you have any questions or need assistance in completing your application contact the Housing Appeals Office on (03) 9096 7426, or 1800 807 702 for country residents.
Your appeal
Once you submitt your application you will receive a letter of receipt from us.
Your appeal will then be considered on the basis of the information provided in your application.
A Housing Services Manager will notify you of the outcome of this review within ten working days of the date your appeal is received.
The next step
If the Housing Office does not rule in your favour it will be sent to the Manager, Housing Appeals, who will independently examine the matter appealed to determine if housing policy and procedures were correctly applied.
Following a thorough investigation of the matters you have raised in your appeal, you will be sent a letter advising you of the outcome.
Other avenues of review
If you are not happy with your Housing Appeals outcome you can contact the Ombudsman or the Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission.
Contact information
Housing Appeals Office
Tel: (03) 9096 7426 or
1800 807 702
VCAT
Tel: (03) 9628 9800 or
1800 133 055
