Know your rights: How the RMIT Student Legal Service helped Maria and Grace take action

From dodgy rental situations to standing up for their rights, RMIT students Maria and Grace share how RMIT's free Student Legal Service helped them find support, confidence and justice.

Starting uni can be overwhelming – especially when you're navigating legal issues for the first time. But students at RMIT don't have to go it alone. RMIT’s Student Legal Service offers free, confidential legal support for all currently enrolled students. Whether you're dealing with tenancy problems, fines, contracts, or employment rights, the team is there to help you understand your options and take action.

Just ask Maria and Grace, two RMIT students who turned to the service when they needed it most.

A stressful start to life in Melbourne

For international PhD student Maria, arriving in Melbourne was meant to be an exciting new chapter. But things quickly took a turn when the room she had rented was nothing like what had been promised.

“My room had spiders everywhere and the mattress had insect larvae,” Maria said.

“Other tenants were watching me, and I was told I couldn’t use certain parts of the house. I felt unsafe from the moment I arrived.”

After quickly finding new accommodation, Maria contacted the team at RMIT Student Legal Service to find out if she had any rights regarding the bond she had already paid.

“The process was super good and quick,” Maria said.

I prepared a letter for the landlord, and the lawyer, Stephanie, helped me strengthen it with legal statements.

Thanks to the support she received, Maria successfully recovered her bond.

“I got my bond back with no problems. The advice gave me confidence and security about what I was doing,” she said.

“Don’t be shy to ask for help – you can always look for a solution.”

RMIT’s Student Legal Service offers free, confidential legal support for all currently enrolled students.

Standing up to an unfair landlord

For third-year STEM student Grace, a similar issue with a rental property left her feeling stuck and anxious.

“My landlord refused to sign the rental agreement and wouldn’t fix the leaking roof,” Grace said.

“Then she tried to increase the rent when I asked her to sign the agreement. I felt helpless.”

Grace reached out to RMIT’s Student Legal Services after finding them on the RMIT website. The legal team offered step-by-step guidance, outlining her rights and the proper channels to pursue help.

“They had my back when I was fearful and anxious,” Grace said.

“They told me exactly what to do and who to contact. They even helped with drafting legal documents.”

The outcome? A renewed sense of control and confidence.

“I felt safe and supported. If you’re sure you haven’t done anything wrong, don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself,” she said.

Do not hesitate to ask for help. The legal service team are nice and provide useful, practical advice.

Free, confidential help – when you need it most

RMIT’s Student Legal Service is here for you – whether you need help with housing, fines, employment issues or more. The service is:

Free for all current RMIT students
Confidential and independent
Run by experienced legal professionals who understand student life

You don’t have to deal with legal stress alone – and you’re not expected to have all the answers. Like Maria and Grace, you can turn to a trusted team that has your back.

Visit Student Legal Service to learn more or book a free appointment.

Student Legal Service

28 April 2025

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