Freedom of Information

You can request:

• documents about your personal affairs and the activities of the RTBA
• changes to incorrect or misleading information about you including removing the information from the RTBA records.

The RTBA maintains documents and electronic records relating to the transactions of receipt, registration, transfer, and repayment of residential bonds. These documents are principally the forms completed by interested parties in undertaking a transaction, and any supporting attachments. An electronic register with a summary of the transactions is also maintained.

Decisions made by the RTBA relate to scrutiny of the forms and supporting documentation, to ensure that sufficient evidence is provided to support the transaction requested. The RTBA has no role in resolving disputes between parties to a tenancy; this role is undertaken by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) or a court.

The register, transaction forms and supporting documents are confidential, pursuant to section 499 of the Residential Tenancies Act 1997. They are not subject to Freedom of Information requests.

The Freedom of Information Act 1982 allows the public a right of access to other documents held by the RTBA.

Making a request

Access to documents may be obtained by written request to:

Freedom of Information Officer
Residential Tenancies Bond Authority
17/121 Exhibition Street
Melbourne VIC 3000

Requests can also be lodged online at the Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner’s website.

In summary, the requirements for making a request are:

• it should be in writing;
• it should identify as clearly as possible which document is being requested; and
• it should be accompanied by the appropriate application fee (the fee may be waived in certain circumstances).

Access charges may also apply once an application has been processed and a decision on access is made; for example, photocopying, search and retrieval charges.

Further information regarding Freedom of Information can be found at the Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner’s website.

Freedom of Information Part 2 Statements

These statements outline how the RTBA is satisfying its legal obligations under the Freedom of information Act to make information readily available to the public without the need to make a FOI request.

The RTBA has adopted the Part 2 statements of the Department of Justice and Community Safety.

Before you make a FOI request, check if the information you are seeking is already available by visiting the Department of Justice and Community Safety's Freedom of Information, Part 2 Information Statements page.