Property care

We keep your property occupied and manage the occupant (the Defence family) throughout the lease term, including:

• arranging for Defence members to move in and out of the property
• managing the occupant 
• conducting inspections
• providing inspection reports at periodic intervals.

If the property is between tenancies, DHA will also undertake general grounds maintenance, water gardens, prune trees, mow lawns, and collect mail to ensure the property remains in good condition and appears occupied.

We are responsible for organising and covering the cost of most non-structural repairs and the replacement of fixed appliances as needed. 

A comprehensive description of repairs included in our service, and exclusions, can be found in the Property Care Contract. 

Any work to your property will be undertaken by a DHA-appointed licensed or suitably qualified trades-person.

Where repairs and maintenance fall under your responsibility, we will contact you to discuss the work and options available. 

At the end of the lease agreement, we ensure your property is returned to you:

• cleaned to a professional standard
• with appliances clean and in working order (except fair wear and tear)
• with the dwelling, grounds and landscaping in a neat and tidy condition.

In the event of an emergency—where an action is needed to preserve the property and protect human health, safety and security—we will act quickly on your behalf. Examples include flooding, fire or a breakdown or failure of any essential service. 

If the emergency arises from an item for which we are responsible for the repair, we bear the costs. If the emergency falls within your responsibilities as the landlord, we will contact you so that you can provide your instructions to repair or notify your insurer of the situation. Any reasonable costs incurred by DHA will be invoiced as an additional payment to the service fees.

We will carry out inspections of your property at periodic intervals and provide you with an inspection report.

Should you, your contractors or insurer require access to the property, we will arrange appropriate times for these inspections.

You can find a comprehensive description of services provided, exclusions, and definitions in the Property Care Contract. 

As with any property investment, you, as the landlord, retain some responsibilities, such as:

• maintaining essential services such as water, electricity and gas
• maintaining appropriate insurance cover
• repairing damage to the structure or infrastructure caused by subsidence, pest infestation, fire, lightning, flood or storm
• repair work covered by any warranty held by you
• major landscaping
• other specific exclusions as outlined in the Property Care Contract Schedule 2.3.