August 26th, 2025Charity unit rent raise too much for Cate
Cate Graceson was living in her car with her dog in March, 2023. She was 70 years old.
Cate contacted every agency and support service in Ballarat and Daylesford and was continually asked if she was homeless because of domestic violence. She wasn’t, and so there was no place for her.
After a month, a friend said to try the Daylesford Ladies Benevolent Society. She looked them up on the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission website and got a phone number. “Initially I was turned down as I was not on the waiting list (but) some days later I received the offer of a flat at 59 West Street, the Centennial Flats. There were two verbal conditions. Pay $6000 up-front and non-refundable and be ready to move in immediately. I got the money from my brother.”
Cate says the flat was below the standard for residential rental properties with no safety switch and no exhaust fans in the kitchen or the bathroom – but it was a home. Her rent when she moved in was $100 per week, but on July 1 the rent was raised to $110 per week.
“I was forewarned of this and accepted it as an administrative increase to cover costs. However, as I continued to put pressure on the Benevolent Ladies to bring the flats up to standard I received a notice from (real estate agent) BigginScott. Out of the blue, the Benevolent Ladies had made my flat a domestic rental on the Daylesford rental market.
“I received maps, showing how my flat had been carved out of the Centennial Flats. In 60 days my rent was going to become $295 a week, consistent with other one-bedroom flats on the Daylesford rental market.
“I could not pay the $295. My mental health is an ongoing management issue for me and this pressure pushed me into a deep depression. I did not understand how this victimisation was possible. I thought a charity would be looking out for its beneficiaries, not pushing me off a cliff.
“The registered purpose of the Daylesford Ladies Benevolent Society, as published by the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission is to provide 12 low cost rental flats for low income pensioners.”
Cate says with no increase in her pension there is no way she will be able to continue living in her unit. “I was homeless before moving into my flat. I am afraid of being homeless again. I am happy and settled in my flat where I have been for two and a half years. I was assured that I could rely on having this accommodation until my health prevented me from living independently.
“As a charity, Daylesford Ladies Benevolent Society has a responsibility to protect my welfare and human rights. This is part of their primary duty of care towards me.
“Under the Residential Tenancies Act Victoria (1997) a residential tenancy can be assessed and have a rental increase every 12 months. The maximum rent to be charged must be consistent with the cost of similar rental properties in the immediate area in which the tenancy is located. This is called comparative market analysis.
“The 12 flats rented by the Daylesford Ladies Benevolent Society were constructed between 1965 and 1990. These flats were funded by state and federal governments, local donations and a bequest. At all times during the construction and up until 2023 the flats were considered community housing and were rented at low cost.
“Other charities in Central Victoria who rent out accommodation charge $123 a week to $130 a week. Where did the Daylesford Ladies Benevolent Society go wrong?”
Daylesford Ladies Benevolent Society secretary, Lyn Kinghorn, when asked for comment on Cate’s story emailed: “Our units are now administered by real estate agents.”
Asked who the real estate agents were Ms Kinghorn emailed back with: “Ask the resident who she deals with?”
BigginScott director Tom Shaw thanked The Local for reaching out but said he was not able to provide any comments regarding the units.
In November last year, Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan said the state government planned to “expand the list of factors” considered by Consumer Affairs Victoria and the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal when conducting a rent review, designed to “put the breaks on excessive rent increases”.
“We’re building more homes for renters to live in, and we’re legislating more rights so renters get more respect,” Ms Allan said.
“It’s not fair that a renter can cop a 200 per cent rent increase just because they’ve asked for a basic issue to be fixed.
“New tenants should be able to focus on where they put their couch, not worrying about if they need to go to VCAT because the mould in the bathroom that was supposed to be removed after the inspection is still there.”
A leader in the low income housing field who asked not to be identified, said the housing situation was dire. The person also said with Hepburn Shire Council changes to Local Laws, agencies were no longer able to place clients in local caravan parks. Camping was also out.
“There is a woman living in her car at present in Creswick who has a cat. All we can do is offer to put her cats up. Most homeless agencies only have the capacity of one night if that. It’s a dire situation. I usually refer to Uniting, Anglicare or Cafs. Basically there is no housing.”
On the ACNC register the Society states: “We have 12 units at low rental for low income pensioners.” Under financials it had $121,140 in revenue and another $8145 from investments, with expenses of $90,742 giving surplus of $38,543. Total assets are $3,520,045.
